Backlash
Omaha, Nebraska
CHI Health Center
April 25th 2021
FIT FOR RIVALS – DAMAGE
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The opening video to the PPV comes to an end as the camera pans around the show the packed CHI Health Center before we cut to the commentary team at ringside as Michael Cole and Pat McAfee welcome us to the show. They give us a rundown of the card, including hyping up the main event, as we can see the two rings set up, ready for War Games!
CESARO makes his way out first getting a loud pop from the live crowd. He poses at the top of the entrance ramp and does his signature shotgun arms taunt before marching to the ring with purpose. Michael Cole says Cesaro picked up a huge win at WrestleMania 37 over his former leader Andrade Cien Almas and proved he belonged at the top of Raw. Pat McAfee says Cesaro is insanely strong and like no one else he has ever seen, but he must beat one of the best in the world tonight if he wants to get a WWE title shot!
DREW MCINTYRE slowly walks out, getting a slightly louder pop than Cesaro. The Sinister Scotsman takes his time walking down the entrance ramp, not taking his eyes off his opponent in tonight’s opening match. Michael Cole says Drew McIntyre lost the WWE title to Samoa Joe at Survivor Series last year and, since then, has been fighting to get his title back. Pat McAfee says Drew showed he is the measuring stick with him over Ciampa at WrestleMania 37. Can Cesaro get past him tonight? Drew stands in the ring across from Cesaro as they look each other directly in the eyes, as the referee calls for the bell to get the match underway!
Number one contender’s match for the WWE title:
Drew McIntyre vs Cesaro
Both men start the match by circling the ring and measuring each other up with a smile on their faces. They take their time before meeting in the middle of the ring, and instead of locking up with each other, THEY START THROWING STRIKES AT ONE ANOTHER TO THE DELIGHT OF THE CROWD! Both men are evenly matched as they lay into each other with hard strikes. Cesaro changes it up though, by catching Drew’s forearm before SENDING HIM BACK WITH SWISS DEATH!
Drew McIntyre falls onto the ropes, and Cesaro has a smirk on his face as he runs the ropes, looking to go for SWISS-1-9 EARLY… BUT DREW GRABS HIS LEGS AND HITS A DECAPITATOR USING THE ROPES! Drew rubs his jaw before dragging Cesaro away from the ropes, before making the cover. 1 Cesaro powers out! The commentary team notes the fast pace this match has started with, wondering if both men know it will take a lot to put their opponent away tonight.
Drew looks to keep the pressure up as he grabs hold of Cesaro, looking to go for a SUPLEX… BUT CESARO COUNTERS WITH ONE OF HIS OWN SLAMMING DREW DOWN! Cesaro makes the cover 1 Drew powers out! Both men need a lot more damage done before their opponent can even think about earning a WWE title shot! Cesaro fires off on Drew as he gets to his feet, sending him back towards the corner… BUT DREW TURNS THE TIDE WITH A WICKED HEADBUTT!
Cesaro stumbles back after the wicked shot to the head, and Drew is quick to follow up with a CLOTHESLINE, knocking Cesaro off his feet. Drew makes the cover 1 Cesaro powers out! Drew smirks slightly but stays focused as he grabs hold of Cesaro on the mat and locks him in a BOW AND ARROW HOLD! Drew goes after the back of Cesaro as he looks to take away the power game of Cesaro, but the Swiss Superman manages to fight out of it, sending Drew backwards!
Cesaro gets to his feet as Drew is quick to come charging back at him, but Cesaro cuts him off quickly with a EUROPEAN UPPERCUT! Drew is staggered but still on his feet, but Cesaro powers him up and sends him into the turnbuckles with a REVERSE POWERBOMB SNAKE EYES! Drew’s head bounces off the turnbuckles, and he turns back around into Cesaro, who lays into him with a series of CLOTHESLINES IN THE CORNER!
Cesaro finishes off the sequence with a EUROPEAN UPPERCUT for good measure, causing Drew to slump over in the corner, so Cesaro connects with a SUPERKICK to the mid-section, causing Drew to buckle down onto all fours! Cesaro then heads around Drew and climbs to Bret’s rope before hitting a DOUBLE FOOT STOMP TO THE BACK OF DREW! True precision from Cesaro early on as he rolls Drew over onto the mat and makes the cover 1 Drew kicks out!
A lot less force this time, but Drew still has a lot of fight left in him! Cesaro grabs hold of the leg of Drew and sits on the mat, locking him in a BOSTON CRAB as they wrench it back! Drew is in pain on the mat, but uses his power to break free of the hold to send Cesaro into the ropes. Drew gets to his feet and runs the ropes, sending Cesaro over the top rope to the ring floor with a CLOTHESLINE! Drew then looks to the crowd and runs the ropes, HITTING A HUGE VAULTING PLANCHA WIPING OUT CESARO!
The crowd goes wild for the high-risk move as the commentary team mentions that Drew rarely pulls that move out! Drew gets to his feet and plays to the crowd for a little bit before grabbing the Swiss Superman and IRISH WHIPS HIM INTO THE STEEL STEPS! Cesaro winces in pain as Drew is starting to take control of the match and showing why he is a former WWE Champion. McIntyre rolls into the ring and out of the ring, breaking the count before grabbing hold of Cesaro, looking to SLAM HIM ONTO THE RING APRON…
CESARO FIGHTS OUT OF IT AND INSTEAD HITS DREW WITH A STUN GUN ONTO THE RINGSIDE BARRICADE! Cesaro lays in a few shots to the head of Drew as he slumps against the barricade before Cesaro takes the time to roll in and out of the ring to break the count. He grabs hold of Drew and turns his back to the barricade… BEFORE HE STARTS TO SWING DREW MCINTYRE AND SLAM HIM INTO IT SEVERAL TIMES! The crowd goes wild as Cesaro shows off his insane power!
He drops Drew to the floor and takes a moment to rest on the barricade, hearing the referee’s count, but doesn’t want to take this win tonight via countout. He grabs Drew off the floor and rolls him back into the ring. Cesaro makes the cover 1 2 Drew kicks out! The damage done outside the ring is starting to take its toll on Drew, whilst Cesaro stays focused on the task at hand. He grabs hold of Drew and looks to lift him off the mat, ready to go for the RICOLA BOMB… DREW FIGHTS OUT OF IT!
Drew lands back on his feet and quickly responds with a WICKED GLASGOW KISS! Drew is quick to follow up by grabbing hold of Cesaro and planting him to the mat with a SNAP SUPLEX! Drew makes the cover 1 Cesaro kicks out! Drew nods to himself and acknowledges the toughness that Cesaro is showing throughout this match. Drew grabs hold of Cesaro and looks to lock him in the IRON MAIDEN… BUT CESARO FIGHTS OUT OF IT AND GOES FOR A EUROPEAN UPPERCUT… DREW COUNTERS WITH A LIFTING SITOUT SPINEBUSTER!
Drew makes the cover 1 2 Cesaro kicks out! Drew nods to himself, happy to have gotten some more damage off onto Cesaro. He grabs hold of him, laying into him with a series of strikes to weaken him before lifting him into the air and DRILLING HIM DOWN WITH A BRIDGING NORTHERN LIGHTS SUPLEX! 1 2 Cesaro kicks out! Drew is in control of the match as he starts to match Cesaro for power. He grabs him off the mat once again and sends him crashing down to the mat with a SIDEWALK SLAM, putting more pressure on Cesaro’s back!
Drew stays on top by grabbing hold of Cesaro and putting pressure on him by pressing into the back of Cesaro, causing the Swiss Superman to wince in pain. The commentary team mentions that Drew is a champion and will use his experience to put as much pressure on Cesaro here. Cesaro feels the pressure being put on him but fights out of it as he looks to fire off a EUROPEAN UPPERCUT… BUT DREW HAS IT SCOUTED GRABBING THE ARM AND HITS AN ARM WRINGER!
Drew isn’t done there and holds onto the right arm of Cesaro as he BOOTS IT TRYING TO TAKE AWAY THE SIGNATURE EUROPEAN UPPERCUTS FROM CESARO! Pat McAfee notes this was not the plan Drew used last time, maybe learning from how close Cesaro came to defeating him in London last year. Michael Cole, though, is quick to point out that Cesaro has also changed his game plan and is not targeting the leg of Drew this time after it didn’t work last year.
Drew grabs hold of Cesaro and sends him into the RING POST RIGHT SHOULDER FIRST! Cesaro winces in pain with Drew following up with a JUMPING CLOTHSELINE IN THE CORNER OF THE RING! Drew lays in several strikes whilst Cesaro is trapped in the corner of the ring and LAYS INTO HIM WITH A SERIES OF PUNCHES… BUT CESARO FIGHTS BACK AND COUNTERS WITH A POWERBOMB INTO THE MIDDLE OF THE RING!
Cesaro then turns around and climbs to the top rope as he waits for Drew McIntyre to get back to his feet… DIVING EUROPEAN UPPERCUT! Cesaro winces slightly before making the cover 1 2 Drew kicks out! Cesaro gets back to his feet as Drew looks to roll over to get some breathing room… BUT CESARO HITS A JUMPING STOMP ON HIS BACK TO STOP HIM! Cesaro then grabs hold of him and locks him in a CROSSFACE WRENCHING BACK ON THE HOLD!
Drew is in a ton of pain in the hold as Cesaro is pulling with everything he has because he wants the WWE title shot. Drew’s back is in pain, so instead of trying to crawl to the ropes, Drew uses his strength and POWERS OUT OF THE HOLD BY GOING AFTER THE ARM OF CESARO AND USING THAT TO TRANSITION INTO AN ARMBAR! A great counter from Drew, who looks to cause a bunch of damage to Cesaro, who quickly moves his body to get his foot on the bottom rope!
Drew holds onto the armbar for an extra couple of seconds before he releases the hold and backs away from Cesaro. The Swiss Superman leans on the ropes as Drew charges in, but Cesaro avoids it, sending Drew over the ropes onto the ring apron! Cesaro follows up with a couple of punches, staggering Drew, before he grabs hold of him whilst on the ring apron, and after a bit of a struggle, HITS A SUPERPLEX BRINGING DREW IN FROM THE RING APRON TO THE RING! Insane power from Cesaro, who makes the cover 1 2 Drew kicks out!
Cesaro gets back to his feet and signals to the crowd he wants to take Drew for a spin… BUT DREW KICKS HIM AWAY AND FIGHTS OUT OF IT! The crowd actually boos Drew slightly, wanting to see the Cesaro swing, but the Scotsman is having none of it tonight if he can help it! Drew gets back to his feet and connects with a BIG BOOT dropping Cesaro to the mat. Drew makes the cover 1 2 Cesaro kicks out! Drew nods to himself, and the smile from the start of the match is turning into a determined scowl.
He grabs hold of the right arm of Cesaro from behind and slams him down with a BRIDGING GERMAN SUPLEX! 1 2 Cesaro kicks out! Cesaro winces in pain due to the damage done to the right arm by Drew during this match as the Sinister Scotsman keeps up the assault. Drew grabs hold of it and looks to lock Cesaro in the IRON MAIDEN (Over the shoulder crossface chicken-wing) … CESARO USES HIS LEFT ARM TO HIT A EUROPEAN UPPERCUT SENDING HIM BACK!
Cesaro can’t get the same normal power behind it due to using his less dominant hand to attack Drew… BUT FOLLOWS UP WITH A DISCUS UPPERCUT USING HIS RIGHT ARM! The crowd loudly cheers as Drew falls to the mat, whilst Cesaro winces in pain as he falls into the cover 1 2 McIntyre kicks out! Cesaro looks to waste no time following and hits a JUMPING KNEE DROP keeping Drew on the mat! He isn’t done there as he runs the ropes and hits a BASEMENT DROPKICK! Cesaro makes another cover 1 2 Drew kicks out!
Drew might be in trouble as Cesaro can feel himself getting closer to the WWE title shot. The Swiss Superman grabs hold of Drew as he looks to get him in position for the NETRUALIZER… BUT AGAIN DREW FIGHTS OUT OF THE MOVE SLAMMING CESARO TO THE MAT WITH A BACK BODY DROP! Drew turns around, grabbing Cesaro off the mat and DEADLIFTS HIM INTO THE AIR FOR A VERTICAL SUPLEX TO THE MAT! Drew makes the cover 1 2 Cesaro kicks out once again as Drew rolls away and heads to the corner of the ring!
He stands in the corner and counts down with the live crowd: 3 2 1 CLAY… CESARO CATCHES HIM IN MID-AIR AND TRANSITIONS INTO THE CESARO SWING! The crowd goes wild as Cesaro starts to swing Drew McIntyre around with the crowd counting along as he does it! He keeps spinning Drew around, who has no way out, before Cesaro brings the swing to a stop… AND TRANSITIONS INTO THE SHARPSHOOTER IN THE MIDDLE OF THE RING!
Cesaro bends back on the hold and puts a ton of pressure on the back of Drew McIntyre as he looks to force a tap out from the former WWE Champion. The crowd is willing the Swiss Superman on, with Drew fighting for survival here! Drew tries to power out of the hold, but he can’t get off the mat to break free from the hold! Drew realizes he has to make it to the ropes and starts the long crawl from the middle of the ring as he gets inches and inches closer to the ropes… CESARO PULLS BACK ON MORE TIME… BUT DREW GETS HIS HAND ON THE BOTTOM ROPE!
Cesaro holds on for a few extra seconds like Drew did earlier in the match before breaking the hold, as he moves his arm around to get a bit of extra feeling back into it before reassuming his attack. Drew stands by the ropes as Cesaro comes in and lays into him with a series of EUROPEAN UPPERCUTS PEPPERING DREW… BUT DREW GRABS HOLD OF THE RIGHT ARM… CESARO HITS A HEADBUTT OF HIS OWN DROPPING DREW! Cesaro pulls him away from the ropes and makes the cover 1 2 Drew kicks out!
Cesaro is now in total control and on the verge of becoming the number one contender for the WWE title! Cesaro once again grabs hold of Drew and gets ready to go for THE NETRAULISER… BUT DREW ONCE AGAIN FIGHTS OUT OF IT AND COUNTERS INTO AN INVERTED ALABAMA SLAM! Drew falls over onto the mat, not making the cover yet and instead grabs hold of Cesaro as he grabs the right arm and LOCKS HIM IN THE IRON MAIDEN!
Drew McIntyre wrenches back on the hold and tears away at the right arm of Cesaro as he tries to force him to tap out! Cesaro looks to move his body to find a way out of the hold, but Drew has it locked in as tight as he can, knowing this might be his best chance to get a WWE title shot and get his title back! Cesaro tries to shift his body weight to get to the ropes, but he can’t make it to them… SO FLIPS HIS BODY OVER INTO A PINNING PREDICAMENT!
1
2
DREW BREAKS IT AND KICKS OUT!
Cesaro nearly outsmarts Drew and was this close to earning a WWE title shot! Cesaro’s right arm is in a ton of pain as Drew gets back to his feet and immediately clocks Cesaro with a BIG BOOT DROPPING HIM TO THE MAT! Drew then signals to the live crowd he is ready to end this as he drags Cesaro off the mat and gets him in position before slamming him down to the mat with the FUTURESHOCK DDT! Drew makes the cover on Cesaro
1
2
Cesaro kicks out!
Drew doesn’t waste any time showing frustration after the kick out and goes to the corner of the ring as he once again sets up to go for the CLAYMORE! Drew wastes no time charging at Cesaro… THE SWISS SUPERMAN MOVES OUT OF THE WAY AS DREW COLLIDES WITH THE TRUNBUCKLE! A shout of pain comes out from Drew as he gets back to his feet… INTO SWISS DEATH! Cesaro winces in pain before he grabs hold of Drew McIntyre and plants him with the NEUTRALISER! Cesaro makes the cover
1
2
DREW MCINTYRE KICKS OUT!
Cesaro gets off of Drew and looks disappointed that he came this close to getting the WWE title shot. The commentary team notes that this is the moment where Cesaro will have to lock in and focus on getting the job done if he wants to get his WWE title shot. Cesaro noticeably looks to shake off the pain and damage done to his right arm throughout the match by Drew McIntyre. Cesaro looks to make his way over to Drew and lays into him with a few strikes before grabbing him off the mat, ready for the RICOLA BOMB…
DREW COUNTERS WITH A SITOUT FACEBUSTER! Drew saves himself from a potentially match-ending move! Drew gets back to his feet behind Cesaro and grabs the right arm, looking to go for the IRON MAIDEN ONE MORE TIME… BUT CESARO IS READY AND CLOCKS HIM WITH A WICKED HEADBUTT! Drew is staggered… SWISS DEATH INTO THE AIR AND CESARO GRABS HIM BEFORE HITTING THE RICOLA BOMB! Cesaro hooks the leg
1
2
3
Winner via pinfall: Cesaro (20:11)
Cesaro gets to his feet and we see a smile appear on his face, having earned a future Men’s WWE title shot! The commentary team is full of praise for the Swiss Superman as he soaks in the cheers from the crowd before turning to a rising Drew McIntyre. The Scottish superstar looks annoyed with the loss as he gets back to his feet, but he does shake hands with Cesaro and lifts his hand into the air before leaving the celebrations to him as we cut elsewhere backstage.
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We see THE NEW DAY sitting down backstage in their locker room with their partners inside of War Games: THE STREET PROFITS! BIG E rises to his feet, looking to speak to everyone, reminding them how important tonight is. Everyone in the room has their titles on show around their waist as MONTEZ FORD gets back to his feet and agrees with Big E. He says tonight they get the chance to get The Hurt Business out of their sights for good and prove that friendship is more important than business.
KOFI KINGSTON says this won’t be an easy night and they will need to leave everything inside the cage. ANGELO DAWKINS speaks next, saying there can be no self-doubt and no lack of confidence. This leads to XAVIER WOODS speaking last, saying he has gotten over his confidence issues, tapping his Cruiserweight title. He says tonight they prove why New Day rocks and why they want to take the lead. All 5 men share a hug with each other before we cut back to the ring for the 2nd match of the night.
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*I AM A PSYCHO*
SHOTZI BLACKHEART makes her way out first, not dressed to compete and instead with a sling around her arm after Shayna Baszler’s attack on Monday Night Raw. Shotzi makes her way over to the commentary desk, taking a seat next to Michael Cole and Pat McAfee. They welcome her to the desk, but Shotzi is rude to the pair of them, saying she is just here for a front row seat to see Ruby kick the MMA Horsewomen’s ass.
DANI LUNA makes her way out getting a decent pop from the live crowd. She slaps hands with the fans with a big smile on her face before posing near the commentary table, drawing a look of disgust from Shotzi. Michael Cole asks why Shotzi is so angry, and she responds that she is being replaced and doesn’t like that. Pat McAfee tries to state that it isn’t the case, but Shotzi shouts over him.
LIV MORGAN runs out, getting a loud pop from the fans, ready for action as she slides into the ring and shares a hug with Dani Luna. Shotzi is once again full of venom for the tag team partners of Ruby Riott tonight. She says Liv Morgan is not up to the job and that’s why Ruby ditched her in the first place. Michael Cole says Shotzi is showing a lot of jealousy, which makes her snap at Michael that she has nothing to be jealous of.
RUBY RIOTT makes her way out, getting cheers from the fans, with them embracing her recent change of attitude. She walks to the ring looking focused before joining Dani and Liv in the ring as they start to discuss a game plan for the trios match. Shotzi is full of praise for Ruby but criticizes her choice of friends for this match and says she could do better with one arm. Pat McAfee makes a joke, saying Shotzi could step in if she wanted to, leading to a death glare from Shotzi.
THE MMA HORSEWOMEN make their way out for this trios match, scowling at the live crowd with their usual disdain. SHAYNA BASZLER leads the group, followed by NATALYA and MARINA SHAFIR as they head to the ring. Shotzi calls the group cowards for attacking her after the bell, but quickly falls silent when Shayna approaches the commentary desk—a moment Pat McAfee points out. Michael Cole, more sympathetic, discusses the reign of terror that Shayna led over both women’s divisions. Once in the ring, Natalya begins for the Horsewomen, and after a quick discussion, Ruby Riott starts for her team. The referee calls for the bell, getting things underway.
Trios match:
The MMA Horsewomen vs The Riott Squad and Dani Luna
Natalya tries to lock up with Ruby in the middle of the ring, but Ruby instead fires off a series of punches, sending the Queen of Harts backwards. She looks annoyed, but Ruby points at Shayna, making it clear who she wants to fight. Natalya gets up but hears Shayna shout behind her and does what the leader says, tagging out to bring Shayna into the match! Shayna has a smirk on her face and dares Ruby to come after her, which she does, laying into Shayna with a series of hard strikes!
Shayna struggles at first with the crowd going wild (and so is Shotzi) as the leader of the Riotts looks to get revenge for her friend! Shayna manages to get a few strikes back but is overwhelmed and makes it to the ropes, forcing Ruby to back up! Ruby makes use of the full count before finally backing away, whilst Shayna struggles and rolls to her corner, bringing Shafir into the match. Ruby looks to stay in, but Liv Morgan shouts out, and Ruby calms down enough to tag out for now.
Liv Morgan has a wicked smile on her face whilst on commentary, Shotzi criticizes Ruby for tagging out and relying on someone like Liv Morgan to help her. Marina Shafir steps forward, looking to use his superior power to ground and cut off Liv Morgan… BUT SHE LEAPFROGS OVER HER AND DROPKICKS SHAYNA OFF THE RING APRON! Loud cheers from the crowd as Liv turns around and sends Shafir into the Riott’s corner of the ring with a HURRICARANA!
Natalya looks to come into the ring after that. DANI LUNA, however, CUTS HER OFF WITH A CLOTHESLINE BEFORE BRAWLING WITH HER OVER THE ROPES! Meanwhile, Liv looks to Ruby on the ring apron and tags her back into the match. Ruby grabs hold of Liv by the arm and IRISH WHIPS HER INTO SHAFIR FOR AN ASSISTED DROPKICK! Shafir falls out of the corner, and Ruby follows up with a TORNADO DDT! Ruby makes the cover. 1. 2 Shafir kicks out!
Ruby looks determined and almost happy to do more damage to Shafir, while in the background, we can hear more biased commentary from Shotzi, who rips into everyone but Ruby. Ruby drags Shafir off the mat and hits her with a SNAP SUPLEX bringing her back towards her corner of the ring before bringing Dani Luna into the match for the first time tonight. Dani gets a decent pop from the crowd as Shotzi screams it would have been louder for her!
Luna grabs hold of Shafir, who tries to match her strength, but Dani manages to lift her into the air and SLAMS HER DOWN WITH A VERTICAL SUPLEX! Dani makes the cover, looking directly at the MMA Horsewomen and Shotzi 1 2 Shafir kicks out! Luna is in control, but is noticeably put off by Shotzi’s loud commentary that she can hear from the ring. She grabs hold of Shafir off the mat and HITS A GUTWRENCH SUPLEX bringing her back towards her corner before making another cover. 1 2 Shafir kicks out!
The commentary team is full of praise for Dani Luna's strength in this match. Shotzi, though, claims it is not that impressive. She says Dani is lucky to be teaming with Ruby. Dani heads to the corner and tags in Liv Morgan as the faces remain in control. Liv Morgan runs off the ropes and hits a BASEMENT DROPKICK! She hooks the leg 1 2 Shafir kicks out! Liv stands when SHOTZI SUDDENLY STANDS UP ON COMMENTARY AND TELLS HER TO DO BETTER!?!
Liv Morgan is baffled by this distraction and shouts at Shotzi to sit back down… MARINA CLOBBERS LIV MORGAN FROM BEHIND! The crowd boos as Shotzi sits back down on commentary and says Liv clearly did not listen to her, whilst Michael Cole tells her that she caused that, which Shotzi denies. Marina grabs hold of the smaller Liv Morgan and hits a RELEASE GERMAN SUPLEX bringing her back towards the MMA Horsewomen corner of the ring. Marina gets to her feet and makes the tag to bring Shayna back into the match!
Shayna has a wicked smirk on her face and looks to go to work as the MMA Horsewomen take it in turns to tag in and out, laying into her with a series of stomps in the corner. Ruby and Dani try to stop this and run over to help, but the Horsewomen cut them off, keeping both of them isolated in this match! Shayna makes a point to make Liv suffer in the corner of the ring and works over her arm, pointing directly at Shotzi on commentary and mocking the damage they did to her arm on Raw!
Shotzi fumes about this but stays on commentary for now as Shayna does her usual relentless assault on a body part and picks apart Liv Morgan before SLAMMING HER DOWN WITH A GUTWRENCH SUPLEX! Shayna makes the cover 1 2 Liv kicks out! Shayna makes the tag and brings Natalya back into the match as the Queen of Harts uses her expertise to carry on the damage to Liv Morgan. Dani and Ruby remain on the ring apron, frustrated that they cannot get back into the match!
Natalya then tags in Shafir and carries on grinding down Liv Morgan to the frustration of the live crowd, whilst Shotzi says Liv Morgan is proving her right and proving to be a weak link for Ruby one more time. Liv Morgan looks like she is going to escape from the grip of Marina… BUT THE MMA HORSEWOMEN DROP OFF THE APRON AND CUTS OFF THE TAG! Liv tries to use her speed to bring Shafir down, but gets PLANTED WITH A SEOI-NAGE THROW! Shafir makes the cover 1 2 Liv kicks out!
Shafir then follows it up by locking in a STANDING ARMBAR causing Liv Morgan a bunch of agony as she tries to wrench it out of the socket. Ruby and Dani try to break it up, but Shayna and Natalya cut them off again as they end up brawling to the outside of the ring! Shotzi again blames Dani Luna, saying if it were her and Ruby, they would have saved Morgan’s ass just now! Liv is in so much agony… BUT GETS HER FEET FREE AND SWEEPS THE LEGS OF SHAFIR TO BREAK THE HOLD!
Liv Morgan gets back to her feet, clutching her right arm due to the damage done during this tag by the MMA Horsewomen. She grabs hold of Marina and tries to lock her in a GULLITONE CHOKE… BUT SHAFIR FIGHTS OF IT BY SLAMMING LIV MORGAN INTO THE CORNER! Marina Shafir looks to grab hold of Liv to slam her down… BUT LIV MORGAN COUNTERS INTO obLIVion! Liv catches Shafir out and makes the cover
1
2
SHAYNA BASZLER SAVES THE MATCH FOR HER TEAM!
The leader of the MMA Horsewomen saves her tag team partner from nearly losing this match! Shayna is vicious as well, as she grabs hold of Liv Morgan and sends her SHOULDER-FIRST INTO THE RINGPOST ACROSS THE RING! Shayna then drags Shafir over to the corner and makes sure to tag herself back into the match! Shayna Baszler is now the legal woman and stalks Liv Morgan from behind! She looks to go for the KIRIFUDA CLUTCH… BUT LIV FIGHTS OUT OF IT!
Liv Morgan lands on her feet with a smile on her face and looks to run the ropes… AS RUBY BLIND TAGS INTO THE MATCH! Liv Morgan goes on the attack, but Shayna catches her and lifts her into the air as she slams her down with a GUTWRENCH POWERBOMB! Shayna goes to make the cover, but the referee tells her she is not the legal woman… RUBY GRABS HER FROM BEHIND AND CONNECTS WITH THE RIOT KICK! Ruby makes the cover
1
LUNA CUTS OFF SHAFIR AND BRAWLS OUTSIDE THE RING…
2
NATALYA BREAKS THE COVER TO SAVE THE MATCH!
The Queen of Harts veteran experience meant she was in the right place at the right time to save the match, and Shotzi Blackheart on commentary is furious! Back in the ring, Natalya tries to grab hold of Ruby Riott… BUT SHE GETS A RIOT KICK FOR HER TROUBLES SENDING HER OUT OF THE RING! Ruby then looks to head to the corner of the ring and gets herself in position for WE RIOT… SHAFIR LOOKS TO GRAB HER FOOT!
Shotzi on commentary is furious and slams down her headset, leaving the commentary desk! She storms over to Marina Shafir and grabs hold of her, getting into an argument with her! The referee asks what she is doing and Ruby is distracted… ALLOWING SHAYNA BASZLER TO CATCH RUBY OUT AND HIT A SUPERPLEX! Shayna doesn’t make the cover and instead locks in the KIRIFUDA CLUTCH! Natalya takes care of Liv Morgan, stopping her and as Dani Luna tries to help SHOTZI MISSES SHAFIR AND ACCIDENTALLY WIPES HER OUT! Ruby meanwhile, is trapped in the middle of the ring… AND IS FORCED TO TAP OUT!
Winners via submission: The MMA Horsewomen (10:31)
Shayna tosses the prone body of Ruby Riott down to the mat and rises to her feet with a smug smirk on her face, as she carries on getting back on track after losing the Women’s Universal title at WrestleMania 37. Natalya and Marina Shafir join her in the ring to carry on their celebrations as they remain a united front, a true threat to the rest of the Women’s division. The commentary team notes that the Queen of the Ring is coming up, and if Shayna is in that tournament, she has to be one of the favourites to win.
Meanwhile outside the ring, we can see Dani Luna and Shotzi in each other’s faces as they blame each other for the mix-up at the end. Liv Morgan steps in and tells Shotzi off, saying she wasn’t even in the match and should get out of here. Ruby gets to her feet in the ring and Shotzi rolls inside to check on her… BUT RUBY PUSHES HER AWAY AND TELLS HER TO LEAVE. Shotzi looks hurt and upset, but does what Ruby asks, leaving the ring as Dani Luna and Liv Morgan then enter the ring to check on her, as we see a stare down between the We Riott members.
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We then cut to the inside of THE HURT BUSINESS LOCKER ROOM as we can see them all sitting around ready for war. SAMOA JOE, SWERVE STRICKLAND, LIO RUSH, SHELTON BENJAMIN, and CEDRIC ALEXANDER are all warming up ahead of tonight’s main event. EJ NDUKA, meanwhile is sitting down with a cocky smile on his face, having picked up a victory on tonight’s pre-show. MVP soon enters the room and starts by praising EJ Nduka for getting the job done earlier tonight, to which he smiles in response.
MVP says tonight is huge and a night where they need to show why they are the Hurt Business. He looks directly at Swerve and says he needs the ruthless edge that he knows he is capable of. He turns to Lio Rush and says he needs them all to be on the same page. He turns to Samoa Joe, saying he needs his total dominance and wants to prove that they should hold all the gold. Samoa Joe stands up at this point and says he finally got his hand on the WWE title last year, and it was the greatest night in his career.
He clenches his fist, calling WrestleMania 37 the worst night of his career and he needs to get his gold back, promising that if any of them do anything stupid to cost him, it will be on their head. Shelton Benjamin, being a more level-headed veteran, looks to ease the tension in the room, but Swerve gets to his feet and looks directly at Lio, telling him he is relying on him to pull his weight. Rush says he knows he can be relied on, but can Swerve as the tension remains within The Hurt Business ahead of War Games.
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*HURT YOU*
BOBBY LASHLEY marches out to cheers from the crowd with a serious look on his face. He doesn’t acknowledge the fans on the way to the ring, ready for a fight tonight. Michael Cole says Bobby Lashley, since coming back, has tried to re-establish himself at the top of Raw but has suffered some big losses to Big E and inside the Money in the Bank ladder match. Pat McAfee says Bobby Lashley is arguably one of the greatest superstars to never win the World title.
Mod note: (ECW does not count, and in this timeline, yet to win the WWE or Universal).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pM76LtznNrc
RANDY ORTON slowly walks out getting a loud mixed reaction from the live crowd, as some people can’t help but cheer for Orton in 2021, no matter what he does. He takes his time slowly walking to the ring, not taking his eyes off Bobby Lashley in the ring, stalking his prey tonight. Michael Cole says Randy Orton is a 13-time World Champion and is looking to get right back to the top after time on the shelf. Pat McAfee says Orton is still bitter about not getting to fight Stone Cold at WrestleMania and plans to take it out on Lashley. Orton stands in the ring across from Lashley with a smirk as the referee calls for the bell to get the match underway.
Singles match:
Bobby Lashley vs Randy Orton
Lashley doesn’t waste any time charging forward as soon as the bell rings… RANDY ROLLS OUT OF THE RING TO BOOS FROM THE CROWD! He taunts the crowd, but Lashley is not a patient man and rolls out of the ring looking to go right after the Viper! Orton runs around the ring with Lashley giving chase before Orton rolls back into the ring, stomping on Lashley… LASHLEY NO SELLS IT AND POWERS OUT SENDING ORTON BACK TO THE MAT!
Lashley mounts Randy Orton and lays into him with several hard strikes, giving the former World Champion a true beating on the mat. Bobby Lashley gets back to his feet and hoists Orton into the air as he BIEL THROWS HIM ACROSS THE RING INTO THE CORNER! Bobby charges in and clobbers Orton with a series of SHOULDER THRUSTS! Bobby Lashley is giving Orton a beating early on and has to be warned by the referee to ease up, or he will be disqualified!
He backs away for the moment from Randy Orton, leaving him slumping in the corner of the ring… BEFORE GOING BACK ON THE ATTACK LAYING A BEATING ON THE LEGEND KILLER! He is destroying Randy in the corner, so the Viper gets desperate and RAKES THE EYES OF BOBBY LASHLEY! Loud boos from the crowd, and the referee tells Orton off, but he responds by connecting with a CHOP BLOCK TO THE LEG ON LASHLEY BRINGING HIM TO A KNEE!
Randy Orton plants Bobby Lashley with a DDT AND QUICKLY MAKES THE COVER 1 LASHLY POWERS OUT! Orton still has work to do to put the All Mighty away. He grabs Lashley, looking for a headlock, but Lashley easily overpowers him, breaking the hold and slamming Orton to the mat. Lashley covers 1 2 Orton kicks out!
Lashley pulls Orton up and wrenches his head and neck, applying heavy pressure. Orton tries to escape, but Lashley cuts him off with a wicked clothesline. The crowd cheers as Lashley gets Orton up for the DOMINATOR early, but Orton slips out, attempting an R.K... Lashley pushes him off, and Orton rolls out of the ring.
Orton rests by the announce table, but Lashley follows, not giving him a break. Orton grabs Lashley and slams his head into the desk, then tries again, but Lashley fights out and counters, slamming Orton back-first onto the desk. It doesn't break, so Orton slides off to the floor as Lashley stalks him, still in control.
Lashley makes his way over to Orton and lays into him with a series of punches to the head. Bobby then grabs hold of Orton and Irish whips him back into the ring. Lashley climbs back onto the apron following after Orton… WHO KICKS HIM IN THE GUT! The crowd gives a mixed reaction as they know what is next as Orton drags Lashley’s head through the ropes… AND PLANTS HIM WITH THE HANGMAN DDT! Orton pulls Lashley away from the ropes and makes the cover 1 2 Bobby kicks out!
Orton smirks, though having cut off the powerhouse and now he looks to press the advantage. He starts the GARVIN STOMP as he targets each one of the limbs of Bobby Lashley before finishing off with a JUMPING KNEE DROP to the head of Lashley! Orton makes the cover 1 2 Lashley kicks out! Orton doesn’t rest up from there and looks to grind down Lashley this time, locking in a CHIN LOCK really grinding Lashley on the mat and trying to weaken him ahead of the R.K.O.
Lashley is struggling in the hold but starts to rise to a standing position as he looks for a way to escape the hold… SO ORTON TRANSITIONED INTO AN INVERTED HEADLOCK BACKBREAKER! Orton drops him to the mat and makes another cover 1 2 Lashley kicks out! Orton is in control of the match, but he doesn’t want to mess around, knowing how dangerous and powerful Lashley is as he pounds the mat… GETTING READY TO GO FOR THE R.K… SCOOP POWERSLAM BY LASHLEY!
Bobby once again has Randy’s most dangerous move scouted and makes the cover on the legend killer 1 2 Orton kicks out! Lashley looks a little annoyed as he moves his neck and head, feeling a bit sore after the assault by Randy during the match. Lashley grabs hold of Orton and lifts him off the mat, putting him above his head before DROPPING HIM WITH A MILITARY PRESS SLAM! Orton lands with a hard thud as Lashley heads to the corner and lines him up for a SPEAR…
RANDY USES LASHLEY’S MOMENTUM TO HIT AN OLYMPIC SLAM! An insane counter from Randy Orton there. Orton makes the cover 1 2 Lashley kicks out! Orton, though, stays on top and locks him in a BOSTON CRAB! Orton wrenches back on the hold as he tries to get Lashley to tap out! The All-Mighty struggles in the hold for a while but uses his power to get back to his feet and THROWS RANDY OFF INTO THE ROPES TO BREAK THE HOLD!
Lashley gets back to his feet, but Orton comes charging back with a CLOTHESLINE! Orton comes off the ropes again and plants him with another one before jumping on his with a LOU THERSZ PRESS AND WAILS ON HIM WITH SEVERAL FISTS! Lashley is struggling on the mat due to the punches, but fights back by GRABBING ORTON BY THE THROAT AND SLOWLY RISING BACK TO HIS FEET HOLDING RANDY ORTON BEFORE TOSSING HIM ACROSS THE RING!
Lashley walks over to Orton and grabs hold of him once again as he looks to lock him in a BEARHUG! Lashley wrenches on the hold as he crushes the mid-section of Orton in the middle of the ring! Orton tries to survive the hold, but Lashley is overpowering him here! Orton looks like he might be about to get out of the hold, so Lashley transitions into a BELLY TO BACK SUPLEX! Lashley follows up with another cover 1 2 Orton kicks out, but it is clear he is struggling!
Lashley grabs him off the mat and locks him in a HALF NELSON AS HE FOLLOWS UP WITH A SERIES OF KNEES PEPPERING THE VIPER! Bobby then transitions the hold and looks to lock him in a FULL NELSON AS HE WRENCHES BACK ON THE SHOULDERS AND NECK OF ORTON! Randy realizes he is in big trouble and uses all of his power to force Lashley into the corner back first to break it up! Orton moves away, getting some breathing room… SPEAR FROM LASHLEY! Bobby makes the cover
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Orton kicks out!
Bobby Lashley looks annoyed that Randy was able to survive and starts to look for a way to put him down for good! He drags the prone body of Randy up off the mat and looks to once again get him in the FULL NELSON HOLD! Orton is struggling as he tries to fight out… BUT GETS HIS BODY IN POSITION SO THE REFEREE DOESN’T SEE AND LOW BLOWS LASHLEY! Lashley releases the hold and the referee is none the wiser as Orton quickly follows up with an R.K.O! Orton smirks as he makes the cover
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Winner via pinfall: Randy Orton (9:06)
The crowd boos for the Viper, but he has picked up the win in his return to the ring tonight against Bobby Lashley. Randy poses in the ring atop the turnbuckles and makes it clear what he has his sights set on, doing the belt motion before leaving the ring. The commentary team mentions that Orton will be keeping a close eye on tonight’s main event before we cut to the backstage scene elsewhere.
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We see AR FOX walking through the back, looking disappointed after his loss earlier tonight against EJ Nduka, when he is stopped for an interview by CATHY KELLEY! She asks him how he is feeling after another tough loss on Raw, but before the veteran can answer, SWERVE STRICKLAND walks into the shot. He says he comes in peace, sending Cathy away. He says to Fox that he saw the match earlier and he saw some of the old AR Fox. He doesn’t respond, but Swerve makes it clear that Fox should listen to his advice before walking off to end the segment.
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TEAM KICK makes their way out, getting loud cheers from the fans as they look ready to try to become 2-time tag team champions. DAKOTA KAI and TEGAN NOX sprint to the ring full of energy, as Michael Cole is quick to remind us, they hold the record for the longest Women’s tag team title reign. Pat McAfee wonders if that is why Bayley cheated at WrestleMania 37, desperate to get the Boss ‘N’ Hug Connection closer to breaking Team Kick’s record.
THE BOSS ‘N’ HUG CONNECTION makes their way out holding their WWE Women’s tag team titles in the air. SASHA BANKS leads the way, looking as confident as ever, with BAYLEY following behind and seemingly unsure of herself. Michael Cole notes that Bayley seems to be having some doubts coming out of the biggest show of the year. Pat McAfee comments that maybe Bayley’s paranoia is getting to her, considering how this group broke up the last time, when they lost the tag team titles. Once in the ring, both teams wait for the usual title announcements before the referee calls for the bell to get this match underway!
Women’s tag team titles tornado tag no DQ match:
Boss ‘N’ Hug Connection © vs Team Kick
The bell rings, and Bayley looks to move forward, offering a handshake to the challengers. Sasha raises an eyebrow, a bit confused, but follows her tag team partner’s lead. Kai and Nox look at each other for a few seconds, considering their next move... BEFORE ACCEPTING THE HANDSHAKE! A nice show of respect between the two teams… SPIN KICK TO BOTH MEMBERS OF THE TAG TEAM CHAMPION’S HEAD! A mixed reaction from the crowd, but Pat wonders if that was a sign of things to come at WrestleMania! Nox and Kai each make the cover on a member of the champions 1 Banks and Bayley both kick out!
The crowd is behind the challengers, who start to lay into the champions after the kick out with a series of kicks, working together to lay into the pair of them. Nox and Kai keep the pressure up on the Boss ‘N’ Hug Connection as they look to send them into the corner of the ring each! Kai and Nox both signal to the live crowd before hitting KAIO KICKS in the corner of the ring! Nox and Kai are in total control of the match as they give each other high-fives… WHILST THE CHAMPIONS ROLL OUT OF THE RING TO RECOVER!
Tegan and Dakota look at each other and nod before running the ropes HITTING THE CHAMPIONS WITH DUAL SUCICDE DIVES! Team Kick gets back to their feet and carries on their attack as the champions struggle to gain any sort of a foothold after the attack at the bell! Tegan and Dakota each grab hold of Sasha and Bayley, respectively as they brawl around the ringside area to the delight of the crowd. The commentary team goes over the rules and reminds us that there may be no pins outside the ring, but that won’t stop them from brawling outside it!
Tegan Nox tosses Sasha Banks over the barricade and into the crowd. She leaps off with a DIVING CROSSBODY OVER THE BARRICADE! Across the ring, Kai has Bayley pressed against the barricade and goes for a BIG BOOT... BAYLEY MOVES JUST IN TIME! She looks over and sees a steel chair next to them. Bayley thinks about using it for a few moments, but she shakes her head... DROPKICK FROM KAI KNOCKING HER OVER THE COMMENTARY DESK!
Dakota climbs onto the commentary desk as she looks to carry on battling with Bayley. Kai signals to the crowd and looks to dive off onto Bayley… BAYLEY SWEEPS THE LEG SENDING KAI CRASHING ONTO THE DESK! Bayley climbs back onto the desk and starts to lay into Kai with a series of wild punches in an aggressive fashion! Whilst that is going on, Nox and Banks are brawling through the live crowd as Nox remains in control and even GRABS A BEER FROM A FAN DRINKING SOME… BEFORE THROWING BANKS’S FACE!
Sasha looks furious but doesn’t have long to react as Tegan carries on fighting with her and laying in several strikes. Back on the commentary desk, Bayley has grabbed hold of Dakota and shouts in her face in quite an aggressive fashion, “That’s how you want to play” AND HITS A BAYLEY TO BELLY FROM THE SPANISH ANNOUNCE TABLE TO THE ENGLISH ANNOUNCE TABLE! The crowd cheers for the cool move, but Bayley has a face of fury before leaving the commentary desk for the moment.
Elsewhere in the arena, Tegan Nox has Sasha Banks down on the floor as she climbs up the railings next to her. Tegan perches on the slope BEFORE HITTING A MOLLY-GO-ROUND TO SASHA BELOW! A loud pop from the fans, the high-risk move, and Tegan looks to drag Sasha back to the ring… BAYLEY ATTACKS HER OUT OF NOWHERE! A blindside attack out of nowhere by the other half of the tag team champions as Bayley lays into Tegan, whilst Banks rolls to the side to recover for now.
The crowd actually gives Bayley some boos for attacking with the Hugger, acting a lot more aggressively than she would normally. She grabs hold of Tegan and sends her into the ringside barricade stomach first! Bayley then hops over the barricade and hits a DROPKICK as Tegan is leaning over the side of it. Bayley gets back to her feet as Tegan falls behind the barricade… KAI GRABS BAYLEY BY THE HAIR AND SLAMS HER DOWN TO THE RING FLOOR!
Kai winces in pain before she grabs hold of Bayley and sends her into the RING POST! Dakota takes a moment to line up the Hugger and goes for a KAIO KICK… BAYLEY MOVES JUST IN TIME AND KAI BOOTS THE RING POST! She screams in pain as the commentary team mentions the history of knee injuries Dakota Kai has had and the time off she has had to have due to it. Bayley pauses for a moment, showing some concern, but again it costs her as TEGAN NOX LEAPS OFF THE BARRICADE WIPING HER OUT WITH A CROSSBODY!
Tegan Nox lays into her with a few punches to the head before checking on Dakota, who clutches her right leg. Tegan Nox talks to Kai, who nods in pain… BACKSTABBER FROM SASHA BANKS! Banks has no such remorse and smirks as Tegan falls to the mat. Bayley winces in pain as Sasha walks over and has a chat with her friend, reminding her that this is no DQ and to do whatever it takes to win. Bayley nods, still not fully convinced, but they drag Kai off the floor AND SEND HER INTO THE STEEL STEPS WITH A DUAL IRISH WHIP!
Kai falls down as Banks shouts some instructions to Bayley, who places Kai against the steel steps, and Sasha charges in, connecting with a RUNNING METEORA SMASHING KAI INTO THE STEPS! A brutal attack as the tag team champions keep the pressure up and seem to be taking control of the mat. Sasha Banks grabs hold of Dakota Kai to roll her into the ring whilst sending Bayley after a rising Tegan Nox! Back in the ring, Sasha Banks makes the cover, putting pressure on the right leg of Kai! 1 2 Kai kicks out!
Sasha Banks stays on the attack and looks to work over the right leg of Kai by locking her in a KNEEBAR IN THE MIDDLE OF THE RING! Outside the ring, Bayley is laying into Tegan Nox before slamming her down to the ring floor with an EXPLODER SUPLEX! Kai is screaming in pain in the ring, but she fights to stay alive whilst Bayley, outside the ring, grabs hold of a KENDO STICK! Bayley walks over to Tegan Nox and looks to swing it… BUT TEGAN CATCHES IT AND SNATCHES IT FROM BAYLEY’S GRASP!
Tegan doesn’t waste any time using it. She SMASHES BAYLEY WITH A STRIKE TO THE GUT! Tegan quickly follows up with a shot to the back, sending Bayley to the ring floor. Dakota Kai struggles inside the ring but comes closer to the ropes. Tegan PASSES THE STICK TO KAI! Kai manages to move her body around and CLOCKS SASHA BANKS IN THE HEAD... FORCING SASHA TO LET GO OF THE HOLD!
Sasha rolls away. Tegan Nox looks under the ring and grabs another kendo stick. She rolls inside as Team Kick stands in front of Sasha Banks. Kai, for the moment, uses the kendo stick to stay on her feet! Sasha Banks gets back up. TEAM KICK TREATS HER LIKE A PINATA BEATING THE HELL OUT OF HER! The crowd cheers them on. Kai covers as Tegan whacks Bayley off the ring apron to the floor! 1 2 Banks kicks out!
Dakota winces in pain, struggling due to the damage done to her right leg, but Tegan helps her up as they both grab hold of Sasha, planting her with a DUAL POWERBOMB! Tegan makes the cover 1 2 Banks kicks out! Tegan looks to Dakota and runs the ropes, hitting SASHA WITH A PENALTY KICK! Dakota looks to follow her… BUT BAYLEY CUTS HER OFF WITH A RUNNING DOUBLE AXE HANDLE! Tegan tries to catch her out, but BAYLEY CATCHES HER WITH ONE AS WELL!
Bayley runs wild and knocks both women down several times with MULTIPLE RUNNING DOUBLE AXE HANDLES! Bayley gets a mixed reaction from the crowd for this and it noticeably seems to throw her off but Banks gets back to her feet, wincing slightly as she talks to her best friend. They decide the best course of action right now is to take down Tegan Nox! Sasha grabs hold of Bayley and sends her into Tegan Nox for an ASSISTED HIP ATTACK! Bayley makes the cover 1 2 KAI PUSHES BANKS INTO BAYLEY TO BREAK THE COVER!
Kai might be in an insane amount of pain, but she is fighting through it to make sure Team Kick stays in this match! She looks to go after Sasha with a SWITCHBLADE KICK… SASHA GRABS THE RIGHT LEG AND SLAMS HER DOWN WITH A DRAGON SCREW LEG WHIP! Sasha Banks doesn’t waste any time and quickly follows up with a JUMPING METEORA TO KAI SLAMMING HER DOWN TO THE MAT! Banks makes the cover 1 2 Kai kicks out!
Sasha Banks gets to her feet as Bayley grabs hold of Tegan and sends her into the corner of the ring. Sasha doesn’t wait either as she sends Dakota into the corner of the ring into Tegan Nox as the champions are starting to show why they are regarded as WWE’s best ever women’s tag team! Bayley charges in and connects with a KNEE IN THE CORNER TO KAI! Kai falls out of the corner as BANKS FOLLOWS UP WITH A METEORA! Banks and Bayley each make a cover 1 2 Kai and Nox kick out!
The tag team champions have taken total control of this encounter so far and Team Kick is in big trouble if they do not turn things around tonight! The Boss ‘N’ Hug Connection talks to each other before laying in a few more strikes as they look to keep Team Kick down! The champions then each head to opposite corners of the ring and make the climb to the top! Banks and Bayley line up both women… BEFORE HITTING DUAL DIVING ELBOW DROPS! Shades of Bayley’s team with Kairi Sane last year as they hook the legs again
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KAI AND NOX KICK OUT!
The champions are starting to get more frustrated as this match goes on, and they cannot find a way to finish off their challengers! Bayley sits in the middle of the ring and seems to be doubting herself, but Banks reassures her best friend that they can win this match. Banks rolls out of the ring and grabs one of the TAG TEAM TITLES FROM RINGSIDE! She slides into the ring as Bayley grabs hold of Tegan Nox, ready for Banks to clock her… BUT NOX FIGHTS OUT OF IT AND BANKS HITS BAYLEY! KAI FOLLOWS UP WITH A SUPERKICK TO BANKS SENDING HER FROM THE RING AND NOX MAKES THE COVER!
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BAYLEY KICKS OUT!
Team Kick were this close to becoming 2-time champions thanks to that error from the tag champions! Kai uses the kendo stick once again as a walking stick to keep herself upright whilst Tegan goes to work and lays into Bayley with a series of shots! Kai winces in pain but sees Sasha Banks rising to her feet outside the ring, so DIVES THROUGH THE ROPES AND HITS A SUCIDCE DIVE KEEPING HER DOWN… WHILST TEGAN LOOKS TO GO FOR THE SHINEST WIZARD… BAYLEY COUNTERS INTO THE BAYLEY TO BELLY! Bayley scrambles into the cover
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DAKOTA KAI PULLS HER OUT OF THE RING!
She might be on one leg, but she has saved this match! Kai starts to lay into Bayley outside the ring with a series of strikes before getting her up onto her shoulders for GO TO KICK… BAYLEY SLIPS OUT AND HITS A BACKSTABBER! Shades of Sasha Banks from Bayley, but she looks furious and heads over to the timekeeper’s area as she grabs a steel chair! She looks at Dakota Kai and SLAMS IT ONTO HER BACK KEEPING HER ON THE FLOOR!
Bayley, though, looks almost psychotic as she stares at Dakota Kai, and it is almost like something has snapped in Bayley as she WAILS ON KAI WITH THE STEEL CHAIR! She batters Dakota Kai on the ring floor as the crowd slowly starts to boo Bayley at this point, but she doesn’t stop until SASHA BANKS COMES OVER TO HER! Banks seems to be a bit shocked by Bayley’s actions, but before she can react, Tegan Nox connects with a BASEBALL SLIDE DROPKICK WIPING OUT SASHA BANKS!
Tegan Nox gets back to her feet, but before she can even turn around, she gets WHACKED IN THE BACK BY BAYLEY WITH A STEEL CHAIR! Bayley doesn’t let up as she wails on Tegan Nox and the commentary team wonders if something has snapped in Bayley, desperate to keep the tag team titles around hers and Sasha’s waist! Tegan falls to the mat as Bayley shouts to Sasha, who is getting back up to help Tegan get back in the ring. Banks looks at Bayley for a moment but smiles and does what her tag team partner asks.
Dakota tries to get up, but Bayley makes sure she stays down with another chair shot. She then looks at the right leg that has been giving Kai issues all match and WRAPS THE CHAIR AROUND IT! Bayley then climbs onto the ring apron and JUMPS OFF STOMPING ON THE CHAIR! Kai screams in agony as the commentary team says Bayley might have broken her ankle. Bayley has a look of anger whilst in the ring, TEGAN CATCHES BANKS OUT AND HITS THE BITTER END! Shades of Pete Dunne as she makes the cover
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BAYLEY BREAKS UP THE COVER!
Bayley again keeps the match alive and LAYS INTO TEGAN NOX IN VICIOUS FASHION! Banks looks on, a bit shocked by how Bayley is acting, but she does start to smile, happy to do whatever it takes to win. She waits for Tegan Nox to get back to her feet as the Welsh Wizard struggles up… BACKSTABBER INTO A BAYLEY TO BELLY! Bayley makes the cover
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Winners via pinfall and still Women’s tag team champions: Boss ‘N’ Hug Connection (14:36)
A very mixed reaction from the live crowd, with the majority of fans, but Sasha Banks doesn’t care as she lifts her Women’s tag team title into the air. Bayley, by contrast, seems a bit shocked by the reaction and even goes to Sasha to say that everything she did was within the rules. Banks reassures her friend as the commentary team talks about their shock regarding how Bayley secured the win for her team. As the celebrations carry on in the ring, outside the ring, we can see medics helping Dakota Kai and helping her to the back. Tegan Nox walks with her, glaring at the tag team champions in the ring before we cut backstage.
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We see KEITH LEE walking to the ring with a smile on his face and the Money in the Bank briefcase in hand. He is quickly stopped for an interview by CATHY KELLEY, who asks how he is feeling ahead of his next match. Keith smirks slightly and says Ciampa is one of the fellow rising stars on Raw, so beating him shows where Keith is in the pecking order. Cathy asks about Ciampa making comments about wanting the briefcase, but Keith gives a slight chuckle, lifting up the briefcase, saying This is a ticket to glory.
He tells Cathy he has no intention of putting the title shot he earned on the line unless the man across the ring from him has earned it himself. He tells her that if Ciampa is able to beat him tonight, he might consider that proposal. Cathy finishes up by commenting on tonight’s main event, taking part in War Games, and wonders if Keith Lee has any thoughts on it. Keith slightly smirks and tells her that he will be watching the main event closely.
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TOMMASO CIAMPA walks out, getting loud boos from the live crowd as he walks to the ring with a purpose. He ignores the fans as he walks to the ring, ready to go one-on-one with Mr. Money in the Bank. The commentary team talks about Ciampa looking for gold ever since being banished from NXT and no longer able to win Goldie back. They say Ciampa has talked about wanting gold for his family and wonder if his motives are genuine.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yknJ8Cerv-E
KEITH LEE walks out, getting loud cheers from the live crowd. He has a smug smirk on his face and lifts his Money in the Bank briefcase into the air. He walks to the ring ready for this fight with Ciampa. The commentary team says Keith Lee has proven himself to be one of the hottest rising superstars in WWE! Keith Lee steps into the ring across from Ciampa as both men look at each other with disdain, and the referee calls for the bell to get this underway!
Singles match:
Keith Lee vs Tommaso Ciampa
Tommaso Ciampa takes his time once the bell rings, knowing he is across the ring from not only a bigger athlete but someone with an agility rarely seen for someone his size. Keith is happy to take his time early on as well, and in his own words, bask in his glory. Ciampa finally makes his first move, looking to charge in with a HIGH KNEE… BUT KEITH CATCHES HIM AND SUPLEXES HIM TO THE MAT WITH A THUD! The crowd pops loudly as Keith starts to taunt Ciampa.
Ciampa winces in pain before getting up as Keith Lee runs through him with a POUNCE SENDING HIM OVER THE ROPES TO THE OUTSIDE OF THE RING! Ciampa winces in pain, having taken a brutal bump, but Keith Lee is not done and runs the ropes, HITTING A PLANCHA TO THE OUTSIDE WIPING OUT CIAMPA! Keith Lee gets back to his feet as the crowd pops once again for his unique offense for someone his size before grabbing Ciampa to bring him back into the ring.
Ciampa tries to roll away from Keith Lee, but Keith follows up, looking to grab hold of him… CIMAPA KICKS HIM AWAY! Ciampa gets back to his feet and runs the ropes looking for a LARIAT… KEITH LEE NO SELLS IT WITH A SMIRK AND REPLIES WITH A MONOGLIAN CHOP! Ciampa winces in pain and grabs his chest, turning back around into a DROPKICK! Another insane move from someone the size of Keith Lee, who follows up by making the cover 1 2 Ciampa kicks out!
Keith Lee so far in this match, has been in total control of the match and Ciampa has been struggling to find a way to even gain a foothold in this match. Keith Lee grabs hold of Ciampa and teases going for the SPIRIT BOMB EARLY… CIAMPA FIGHTS OUT OF THE MOVE AND LANDS ON HIS FEET! Ciampa quickly follows up by leaping into the air, hitting a HIGH KNEE TO THE SKULL OF KEITH LEE! For the first time during the match, Ciampa gets Keith down and makes the cover 1 Keith powers out!
Ciampa is sent back towards the ropes as Keith Lee barely looks fazed by the move from Tommaso and we can see a tiny bit of fear creeping onto his face. The psycho charges back in, looking to do more damage… KEITH STOPS HIM WITH A BELLY-TO-BELLY SUPLEX! Keith makes the cover 1 2 Ciampa kicks out! Keith Lee once again shows he is on another level than most superstars and the crowd is loving every minute of Ciampa getting this beating!
Keith Lee goes back to Ciampa on the mat, who looks to lay into him with a series of punches, trying to fend Keith Lee off… BUT KEITH GRABS HOLD OF HIM AND LOCKS HIM IN A BEARHUG! Keith squeezes the life out of Ciampa and looks to hurt him for a few seconds before transitioning it into an ABDOMINIAL STRETCH! Ciampa is in pain on the mat as Keith manages to work over not only his mid-section but his back as well! Ciampa screams in pain… BUT GETS A LEG FREE AND KICKS LEE IN THE HEAD TO BREAK IT!
Ciampa rises, rage on his face, and clotheslines Keith Lee over the ropes onto the ring apron. Keith gets up, but Ciampa climbs the top rope and nails a DIVING DDT ONTO THE RING APRON! A brutal impact for Mr. Money in the Bank. Ciampa, claiming momentum sits on the apron and applauds himself, then rolls into the ring, glad to take a countout win.
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Keith Lee starts to stir
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Keith Lee rises to his feet and makes it back into the ring
Tommaso Ciampa, now however senses an opening and goes on the attack, laying into Keith Lee with a series of stomps! Ciampa is laying a beating on Keith Lee now, he has some control in this match before finishing off the sequence with a HIGH KNEE TO KEITH’S HEAD! Ciampa makes the cover 1 2 Keith kicks out! Ciampa looks to roll Keith Lee over onto his front and LOCKS HIM IN A TEXAS CLOVERLEAF! Ciampa wrenches the hold back, looking to do as much damage as possible to Keith Lee.
Keith Lee is in a ton of pain on the mat, but doesn’t intend to give up in this battle with Ciampa. He fights through the pain and crawls to the bottom rope. Ciampa tries to keep him in the middle of the ring, but Keith Lee powers through and gets to the bottom rope, forcing Ciampa to break the hold! Ciampa keeps the hold locked in till the count of 4 before finally letting go! The crowd boos him for this. They get even louder as CHEAP SHOTS KEITH WITH A KNEE TO THE BACK OF THE HEAD WHILST HE IS BY THE ROPES!
Boos from the live crowd for the cheap shot, but if there is one man who is not going to care about that, it is Ciampa! Ciampa grabs hold of Keith Lee and drags him away from the ropes using all of his power before hitting a GERMAN SUPLEX… CIAMPA HOLDS ON AND HITS A SECOND ONE! Impressive display of power from Ciampa, who holds onto the bridge for the cover 1 2 Keith kicks out! Ciampa smiles slightly, though sensing he might be in control of the match, and HITS A JUMPING KNEE DROP TO KEITH’S HEAD!
Ciampa seems to be targeting the head of Keith Lee, sensing that might be his way to put away Mr. Money in the Bank. He grabs hold of Keith Lee and seems to be ready to lock him in a GUILLOTINE CHOKE… KEITH LEE COUNTERS INTO A ONE-HANDED SPINEBUSTER PLANTING CIAMPA TO THE MAT! Keith Lee makes the cover 1 2 Ciampa kicks out! Keith looks a little annoyed but shakes off the damage that has been done before posing for the fans… STANDING MOONSAULT! Keith stays on for the cover 1 2 Ciampa kicks out!
Keith Lee is back in control of the match, but noticeably shakes his head a little bit due to the damage done to it by Tommaso Ciampa. He grabs hold of Ciampa and drags him up off the mat to his feet as he starts to pepper him with a series of CHOPS! Keith Lee batters Ciampa, who struggles to stay on his feet in response to this attack! Ciampa tries to fire back some of his own, but it has no effect on Keith Lee, who hits a MONOGLIAN CHOP DROPPING CIAMPA!
Keith Lee looks to end this as he grabs hold of Ciampa and gets him ready to go for THE SPIRIT BOMB ONCE AGAIN… BUT CIMAPA AGAIN HAS IT SCOUTED AND FIGHTS OUT OF IT BY COUNTERING INTO A DDT! Ciampa hooks the leg 1 2 Keith Lee kicks out! Ciampa rolls away from Keith Lee and gets to a kneeling position as he looks to consider what he can do to end this match! He grabs hold of Keith Lee and locks his arm as he looks to go for the FAIRYTALE ENDING…
BUT KEITH FIGHTS NOT TO GET HIT WITH IT AND INSTEAD TRANSITIONS TO GET CIAMPA ONTO HIS SHOULDERS! He spins him around in the ring, ready to hit him with the BIG BANG CATASTROPHE… CIAMPA DESPERATELY GRABS THE ROPES TO STOP KEITH FROM BEING ABLE TO HIT IT! Ciampa uses the ropes to HEAD-SCISSORS KEITH LEE OVER THE ROPES TO THE FLOOR! Ciampa sneaks back into the ring as Keith comes back onto the apron… KICK TO THE MID-SECTION AND CIAMPA MANAGES TO HIT WILLOW’S BELL TO KEITH LEE! Ciampa makes the cover.
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KEITH LEE KICKS OUT!
Tommaso Ciampa looks furious and argues with the referee, unable to believe that wasn’t a 3 count! The referee is firm and tells Ciampa to back off, prompting a headshake from Tommaso. Ciampa turns around and looks to the corner of the ring, having evil intentions as he looks to RIP OFF THE TURNBUCKLE PAD! The referee tells him off and demands it back, going to fix it… AS CIAMPA SLIDES OUT OF THE RING AND GRABS THE MONEY IN THE BANK BRIEFCASE!
Ciampa slides into the ring with the referee still distracted and waits for Keith Lee to rise back to his feet… HE SWINGS THE BRIEFCASE… AND MISSES ALLOWING KEITH TO POUNCE HIM! Ciampa falls to the mat with a thud as Keith Lee picks up Ciampa and PLANTS HIM WITH THE SPIRIT BOMB! Keith Lee removes his briefcase from the ring as the referee turns back around and Keith is happy to do even more damage to Ciampa as he places him onto his shoulders for the BIG BANG CATASTROPHE! Keith makes the cover
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Winner via pinfall: Keith Lee (12:59)
The crowd cheers loudly as Keith Lee overcomes the challenges and cheating of Tommaso Ciampa tonight. Keith Lee raises his Money in the Bank briefcase into the air as he celebrates his victory tonight. The commentary team puts over Keith Lee’s performance in tonight’s match and mentions that once again, Ciampa’s cheating backfired on him in a big match. Ciampa kicks the steel steps outside the ring in frustration before we cut elsewhere backstage.
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We can see THE GRIZZLED YOUNG VETERANS walking to the ring with snarls on their faces before they are stopped by KEVIN PATRICK looking for an interview. He asks them how they feel ahead of their PPV debut, with ZACK GIBSON saying he has been on this stage before when he was robbed in the King of the Ring last year. JAMES DRAKE says being on the big stage is something they are used to, and only someone ignorant would ask that question.
Zack snatches the microphone from Kevin Patrick and tells him to leave, which the interviewer wisely chooses to do. Zack Gibson turns to the camera and reminds everyone that they are 2-time NXT and former NXT UK tag team champions. James Drake says they were the ones who carried the flag for the UK, and tonight they prove it in the ring with British Strong Style. Zack says he is glad Trent Seven will be ringside tonight because he will have a front row seat to the best in the UK before they storm through the curtain, ready to go to the ring.
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THE GRIZZLED YOUNG VETERANS march out with a purpose and a scowl on their faces. They also have their signature scarves around their neck and mean mug any fans at ringside. The commentary teams put them over as vicious men who enjoy nothing more than grinding down their opponents and twisting their limbs, ironically, a lot like Pete Dunne across the ring from them. ZACK GIBSON and JAMES DRAKE talk to each other as they await…
BRITISH STRONG STYLE! PETE DUNNE and TYLER BATE lead the way, but they are joined by TRENT SEVEN with his signature towel around his neck. All 3 men pose at the top of the entrance ramp and soak in the loud cheers from the live crowd. Michael Cole says these men, between them, have held the Intercontinental title, NXT UK title twice, NXT Cruiserweight title, and NXT Tag team titles, plus led the revolution on the British independent scene. Pat McAfee points out that he has teamed with GYV, and they have stated they were the real pioneers, saying tonight is their chance to prove it. Once at ringside, Pete Dunne tells Bate he is starting, prompting a nod, whilst James Drake starts for the GYV as the referee calls for the bell to get the match underway!
Mod note: GYV teamed with Pat McAfee in that War Games match versus the Undisputed Era in this timeline.
Tag team match:
British Strong Style w/Trent Seven vs Grizzled Young Veterans
Both men walk to the middle of the ring and lock up with each other as the two men battle for supremacy. They grapple with them both being evenly matched at first, but Pete Dunne manages to gain control of the battle and teases grabbing hold of James’s arm… BUT DRAKE GETS A FOOT ON THE ROPES TO FORCE A BREAK! Dunne holds on for a few seconds before scowling at Drake, who tells Dunne he got lucky. Pete responds by going to a FOREARM SMASH… BUT DRAKE MOVES AND DROPKICKS HIM!
James makes the first cover of the match 1 Dunne kicks out! Drake looks to stay on top and grab Dunne to bring him over to the corner… BUT DUNNE SENDS HIM BACK AND TAGS TYLER INTO THE MATCH! Tyler runs into the ring and grabs hold of James, bringing him back with his superior power for a RELEASE GERMAN SUPLEX WHILST DUNNE KNOCKS GIBSON TO THE RING FLOOR AS HE TRIES TO REACH FOR THE TAG! Trent applauds outside the ring, nodding along as Bate makes the cover 1 Drake kicks out!
Bate grabs hold of James Drake with a smirk on his face, lifting him up off the mat and looking to go for another SUPLEX… BUT DRAKE FIGHTS OUT OF IT AND SENDS HIM BACK! James ducks underneath Tyler Bate and heads right to the corner, tagging in Gibson for the first time this match. Tyler Bate looks to go after both men, BUT THEY COUNTER WITH A DOUBLE SNAKE EYES SENDING BATE INTO THE TURNBUCKLE!
Boos from the crowd, but GYV don’t care, smirking as they look to go to work with a series of STOMPS IN THE CORNER OF THE RING! Gibson lays into him in vicious fashion as Dunne stews on the apron, whilst GYV tags in and out to keep up the pressure on Tyler Bate. Gibson ends up the legal person in the ring as they finish off the stomps and bring Bate out of the corner, hitting a BACK SUPLEX! Gibson makes the cover 1 2 Bate kicks out!
Gibson looks to talk some trash to the live crowd as he grabs hold of Bate by the head and looks to lock her in a HEADLOCK! He grinds down on Tyler Bate, looking to keep the pressure up as we can see Zack talking trash to Trent Seven outside the ring, who watches on with a stoic expression throughout! Zack picks Tyler off the mat and looks to do more work on him… BUT BATE COUNTERS AND HURLS GIBSON ACROSS THE RING WITH A GERMAN SUPLEX!
Tyler Bate follows up with a EUROPEAN UPPERCUT SENDING GIBSON BACK TO THE CORNER AND TAGS IN PETE DUNNE! Dunne stands in front of Gibson and sends Bate into him in the corner with an IRISH WHIP INTO A EUROPEAN UPPERCUT! The crowd loudly cheers as Dunne follows up with a series of UPPERCUTS PEPPERING GIBSON IN BRITISH STRONG STYLE’S CORNER! James Drake tries to come into the ring to try to stop Dunne… BUT BATE CUTS HIM OFF WITH A DROPKICK!
Dunne is hammering away on Gibson and gets a warning from the referee before bringing him out of the corner and SLAMS HIM DOWN TO THE MAT! Dunne makes the cover 1 2 Gibson kicks out! Dunne grabs hold of the arm of Gibson and starts working over him by twisting on his left arm before bringing Gibson over towards the corner as Dunne tags Bate back into the match! Pete Dunne keeps hold of Gibson as Tyler Bate connects with a ROLLING WHEEL KICK! Dunne lets go, and Bate rolls Gibson over as he makes the cover 1 2 Gibson kicks out!
British Strong Style is taking control of this match, with Trent Seven outside the ring noticeably nodding along. Bate grabs hold of Gibson and lifts her off the mat as he drags Gibson towards British Strong Style’s corner, bringing Dunne into the match again! Dunne climbs to the top rope as Bate hoists Zack into the air… AND DUNNE FLIES OFF HITTING A FOREARM SMASH! Dunne makes the cover on Gibson 1 2 Zack kicks out once again!
Dunne doesn’t react to the kick out and stays on top of Zack Gibson as he starts to work over his limbs and twists his arm, getting hold of his RIGHT HAND TEASING HE IS GOING TO BREAK ZACK’S FINGERS… GIBSON DESPREATELY FIGHTS OUT OF THE HOLD! Dunne stumbles backward as Zack quickly follows up with a NECKBREAKER dropping Dunne to the mat. Zack makes the cover 1 2 Dunne kicks out! Zack winces slightly in pain before rolling over to the corner and bringing Drake into the match!
Gibson runs the ropes and catches a rising Pete Dunne with a SHOTGUN DROPKICK INTO JAMES DRAKE WHO HITS A MICHINOKU DRIVER! Drake makes the cover 1 2 Dunne kicks out! The commentary team makes note of the fact that whilst Dunne and Bate work well together, the GYV seem to gel better as a tag team in this match. Drake keeps the pressure up by stopping Dunne from making it to his corner and slams him down with a SNAP SUPLEX before making the cover 1 2 Dunne kicks out!
Drake grabs hold of Dunne and grinds him down on the mat as Bate looks on, a little frustrated from the ring apron. Trent Seven, as well, doesn’t look too happy with how this match has started. Gibson drags Dunne towards the corner and looks to make the tag against Gibson… BUT DUNNE HITS A FLATLINER INTO THE CORNER OF THE RING! Dunne runs across the ring and tags Bate back into the match, whilst Gibson tags himself back in as well!
Gibson looks to charge in at Bate, who goes for a PUNCH WHICH GIBSON DODGES… BUT WAS A FAKE OUT AS BATE CLOCKS HIM! Gibson falls to the mat, holding his jaw with the crowd firmly behind Bate here. Bate grabs hold of Gibson and lifts him off the mat as he signals for the crowd, he is ready to take Zack for a spin… GIBSON ESCAPES BY RAKING THE EYES OF BATE! The crowd rains down heat on Zack for the cheap move, and PETE DUNNE TRIES TO STORM THE RING DUE TO IT BUT IS STOPPED BY THE REFEREE!
Dunne argues that the referee, and due to this, allows Gibson to send Bate SHOULDER-FIRST INTO THE RING POST! James Drake doesn’t stop it there as he grabs one of the scarves they brought to the ring, USING IT TO CHOKE THE LIFE OUT OF TYLER BATE TO EVEN LOUDER BOOS! He keeps it going before breaking the choke once Dunne reluctantly heads back to the ring apron. Trent Seven, noticeably at ringside, shakes his head, looking disgusted at what has taken place just now.
Gibson smirks and taunts the crowd as he grabs hold of Bate and sends him back to the corner before making the tag to bring James Drake back into the match! James Drake runs off the ropes and hits a STEP-UP DROPKICK OVER GIBSON INTO BATE! Good teamwork on display from the Grizzled Young Veterans so far as James lays in a series of punches in the corner before bringing Bate out of it and hits him with a RUNNING BULLDOG! Drake follows up with the cover 1 2 Bate kicks out!
Drake smirks and grabs hold of Tyler Bate as he starts to go to work on the Big Strong Boi, getting loud boos from the crowd. We can see Dunne pacing up and down on the ring apron with Trent Seven watching closely at ringside. Drake grabs hold of the right arm and locks him in a hold as he twists on it, whilst reaching over to the corner and tags Gibson back into the match! Gibson climbs to the middle rope and HITS A DOUBLE STOMP TO THE RIGHT ARM OF TYLER BATE!
Bate screams in pain as Gibson taunts the fans. The GYV remain relentless, now targeting Tyler and isolating him from his tag team partner. Gibson grabs Bate’s right arm and tears away at his shoulder. Dunne tries to reach him from the corner… BUT DRAKE CUTS HIM OFF! Boos erupt from the crowd as GYV demonstrates how nasty yet effective they are as a tag team. Gibson bends and twists Bate’s arm in brutal fashion. Commentary wonders if he’s setting up for the Shankly Gates.
Bate tries to fight out of the hold that Gibson has him in, but Zack boots him in the right arm, stopping Bate in his tracks. Gibson makes another quick tag to bring Drake back into the match, and they both lift Bate up, hitting him with a DOUBLE SCOOP SLAM ONTO THE ROPES! Drake makes the cover, pressing on the shoulder 1 2 Bate kicks out! Zack, on the ring apron, looks at Trent Seven, who seems to be watching intently, and asks if he is enjoying it. Trent doesn’t respond, but DUNNE GETS FIRED UP… ALLOWING DRAKE TO CHEAT-SHOT HIM WITH A KNEE SENDING HIM TO THE FLOOR!
The crowd keeps on booing the GYV, but they don’t care as they seem to be in total control of this match. Drake turns back around to charge at Bate… BUT HE COUNTERS WITH A EUROPEAN UPPERCUT! James stumbles backward as Zack Gibson tries to catch him in the ring… BUT BATE CATCHES HIM WITH A EUROPEAN UPPERCUT SENDING HIM DOWN AS WELL! The crowd loudly cheers as Bate runs off the ropes and catches both men as they try to get back to their feet with a 1-vs-2 AX BOMBER!
Bate sees that Pete is not back on the apron yet, so he makes the cover on Drake 1 2 Drake kicks out! He gets back to his feet as Gibson rolls out of the ring, so Bate has an idea and plays to the crowd before getting Drake onto his shoulders for the AIRPLANE SPIN! The crowd goes wild for this unique move, and Bate manages to spin Drake around to the delight of the crowd before dropping him back to the mat. He looks over to the corner and sees Dunne’s hand stretched out and leaps for it…
GIBSON PULLS DUNNE OFF THE APRON AND SENDS HIM INTO THE BARRICADE! The boos from the crowd ring out once again, but Gibson enjoys the heat from the live crowd… BATE DIVES THROUGH THE ROPES AND WIPES OUT GIBSON! The crowd goes wild as Bate shuts Gibson up, even if it is just for a moment, before sliding back into the ring… JAMES DRAKE CATCHES HIM WITH A DOUBLE KNEE FACEBREAKER! Loud boos from the crowd, but Drake doesn’t care as he makes the cover.
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BATE KICKS OUT!
Trent outside the ring, noticeably shakes his head not happy at what happened. James Drake though, stays on Bate and lays into him with a series of strikes before dragging him back towards their corner and making the tag to bring Gibson back into the match! James Drake lifts up Tyler Bate as Zack Gibson dives off the top rope and they connect with TICKET TO RIDE! Zack makes the cover on Bate as Drake stands guard
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DUNNE BARGES INTO DRAKE AND USES HIM TO BREAK THE COVER!
Pete Dunne keeps the match alive for British Strong Style as the crowd loudly cheers, and Pete grabs hold of James Drake, picking him up to hit him with the BITTER END TO WIPE HIM OUT! Drake rolls out of the ring to the delight of the live crowd, but Dunne soon turns around into Zack Gibson, who hits him with a T-BONE SUPLEX DROPPING PETE DUNNE! The Bruiserweight rolls out of the ring before Zack Gibson, who turns back to Tyler Bate, looking to end this as he grabs the right arm ready to lock in the SHANKLY GATES…
BATE REFUSES TO LET HIM GET IT LOCKED INTO TIGHT AS BATE FIGHTS OUT OF IT WITH EVERYTHING HE HAS! Gibson stumbles back as Bate gets back to his feet and clutches his arm, something that Trent notices! Tyler fires off a few EUROPEAN UPPERCUTS with his weaker hand… BUT GIBSON SENDS HIM BACK INTO THE ROPES… BATE COMES BACK WITH A REBOUND LARIAT! Bate clutches his right arm before making the cover on Gibson
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GIBSON KICKS OUT!
Tyler Bate winces in pain and looks to the corner of the ring, seeing that Pete Dunne still is not back on the ring apron and instead looks to grab hold of Zack Gibson for the TYLER DRIVER 97… BUT GIBSON BOOTS THE RIGHT ARM OF BATE STOPPING HIM IN HIS TRACKS! Gibson then brings Bate down to the mat and locks him in the SHANKLY GATES! Gibson is wrenching back on the hold as he tears away at the right arm of Bate, who is in a ton of agony in the middle of the ring!
Pete Dunne gets back to his feet and tries to get into the ring to make the save for his tag team partner… BUT JAMES DRAKE IS UP ON HIS FEET AND CONNECTS WITH A SIT-OUT DOWNSING ON THE RING FLOOR! This leaves Tyler Bate trapped in the middle of the ring, whilst we can see Trent Seven getting closer to the ropes. Bate locks eyes with him and sees the towel in his hand… TELLING HIM NOT TO DO IT! Trent argues with Bate, but the BIG STRONG BOI USES ALL OF HIS POWER TO BREAK OUT OF THE HOLD AND HIT A DEATH VALLEY DRIVER INTO THE TURNBUCKLES!
Bate rolls out of the corner but is still wincing in pain due to the damage that has been done to him… AS JAMES DRAKE RUNS INTO THE RING… BUT BATE IS READY FOR HIM AND HITS A SAITO SUPLEX! Bate looks over to the corner and sees Pete Dunne in the corner… SO FINALLY PETE DUNNE IS BACK IN THE RING! Pete Dunne steps into the ring and hits a FOREARM SMASH DROPPING JAMES DRAKE! Pete Dunne turns around to see ZACK GIBSON DIVING OFF THE TOP ROPE… FOUR-STAR FOREARM DROPPING HIM!
The crowd goes wild for the counter from Pete Dunne as he looks out at the crowd, and for once in his life, he gives a slight smile. He grabs hold of Zack Gibson’s arm and locks him in an ARM BAR TO LOUD CHEERS FROM THE LIVE CROWD! He wraps his whole body around the arm of Zack Gibson in the middle of the ring whilst James Drake is trying to get back to his feet… TYLER BATE DIVES OFF THE TOP WIPING HIM OUT! This allows Dunne the chance to get Zack Gibson in position as he holds THE FINGERS OF ZACK GIBSON AND SNAPS THEM!
The crowd goes wild as Zack Gibson screams in pain, and Pete Dunne keeps the hold on as tight as possible on his right arm! Trent Seven gets closer to the ring, watching the action as Dunne is wrenching back on the hold, whilst Zack is in horrendous pain after having his fingers broken… BUT MOVES HIS BODY TO GET HIS FOOT ON THE ROPES! Dunne holds on till the count of 3 before releasing the hold as Zack Gibson clings to the ropes for dear life!
Pete Dunne looks at Zack Gibson and fires off a few forearms to the head, getting a warning from the referee for not backing away. Dunne puts his arms up and backs away for now as the referee goes to check on Gibson by the ropes, still clutching his right hand. Dunne goes in, but the referee backs him up… ZACK GOES TO RAKE THE EYES… BUT DUNNE GRABS THOSE FINGERS AND BITES THEM! Huge cheers from the live crowd for the signature spot as Gibson screams in pain!
The referee counts Pete Dunne to the count of 5 before he finally releases the fingers from his jaws! Pete then looks over to the corner and sees Tyler Bate reaching out for the tag. He thinks for a few seconds before tagging him back into the match! Both men are in the ring as Gibson looks up and tries to fight back with just his left hand, but they overwhelm him and lift him up off the mat, hitting THE BIRMINGHAM HAMMER (Dual burning hammer)! Bate makes the cover
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DRAKE PUSHES PAST DUNNE AND BREAKS UP THE PIN!
James Drake keeps the match alive for his team! He grabs hold of Bate, looking to take him down… BUT DUNNE GRABS HOLD OF HIM AND THIS LEADS TO THEM BRAWLING OUTSIDE THE RING! Bate winces in pain but gets back to his feet as he looks down at Zack Gibson, who is struggling to move on the mat. Tyler Bate climbs onto the top rope and lines up Zack Gibson before flying off as he goes for a CORKSCREW SENTON BOMB… ZACK GIBSON GETS HIS KNEES UP BLOCKING BATE!
Zack scowls as outside the ring, JAMES DRAKE RAKES THE EYES OF DUNNE! The referee didn’t see it, focusing on the ring, as Gibson climbed to the top rope and James Drake lifted Pete Dunne over his head… TOPA SUCIDA DOOMSDAY DEVICE! The crowd can’t help but react to that move as Zack nods to James Drake as they return to the ring and hit GRIT YOUR TEETH WIPING OUT TYLER BATE! Gibson makes the cover
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BATE KICKS OUT!
Gibson looks furious and grabs hold of Tyler Bate as he locks him in the SHANKLY GATES WRENCHING BACK ON THE HOLD HURTING HIS OWN FINGERS! Zack is willing to damage his own right hand further to break the arm of Bate and force him to tap out! Bate is screaming in pain on the mat as DUNNE TRIES TO GET IN TO BREAK IT… BUT JAMES DRAKE GRABS HOLD OF HIM AND STOPS HIM FROM GETTING IN TO BREAK IT… BATE IS SCREAMING IN PAIN…
TRENT SEVEN THROWS IN THE TOWEL ON BEHALF OF BATE!
Winners via submission: Grizzled Young Veterans (19:30)
Zack Gibson holds on for a few extra seconds before dropping the right arm of Tyler Bate and rising to his feet, as James Drake slides into the ring looking to celebrate. The GYV celebrate loudly in the ring as the boos ring out loudly from the live crowd. The commentary team is full of praise for the performance, especially Pat McAfee due to his history with the duo. Trent Seven, who has been stewing on the outside of the ring and starts to check on his teammates after the rough loss.
Pete Dunne is checking on Tyler Bate and making sure he is OK after the damage done to his arm during the match. The GYV though, haven’t left the ring and carry on gloating, prompting Pete Dunne to walk forward to confront them. Neither man backs down as Michael wonders if this is a good idea. Trent Seven gets up and stands next to Pete Dunne as they confront the GYV, with Dunne telling them to back off… TRENT SEVEN SPINS DUNNE AROUND AND HITS A SEVEN-STAR LARIAT!
The crowd is in shock as the boos further reign down as Tyler Bate asks when Trent Seven is doing BUT HE GIVES A SEVEN-STAR LARIAT TO TYLER BATE AS WELL! Trent smirks and shares a hug with GYV as Michael Cole goes mental on commentary and says this must have been the plan all along. Pat McAfee says Trent Seven has seen who the future of the Raw tag team division is and stuck his carriage to the winning horse. Cole shakes his head before confirming we have two more matches left tonight as we cut to a video package for the penultimate match of the night.
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We cut to a video showing Rhea Ripley becoming a Women’s Universal Champion for the first time at WrestleMania 37. We hear from her promising to take on all challengers, before Alexa Bliss would interrupt and make her intentions clear. We also see her winning the Sensational Sherri Battle Royal to earn the title shot. The weeks of cheap attacks and two-on-one assaults with the help of Mickie James are shown, but Rhea stands tall each time. The final shot shows a smirking Rhea Ripley staring down Alexa Bliss before we cut back to the ring.
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ALEXA BLISS walks out, getting boos from the live crowd. She doesn’t care as she walks to the ring, smirking to herself and seemingly quietly confident on her way to the ringside area. Michael Cole says Alexa Bliss is a 5-time Women’s Champion and someone you always have to respect in the ring. Pat McAfee meanwhile, wonders where Micke James is, normally at ringside supporting Alexa Bliss.
RHEA RIPLEY marches out, getting a huge pop from the live crowd, and the young champion looks as confident as ever. She raises her title into the air as Michael Cole puts over the dominant performance from her ever since coming to the red brand. Pat McAfee says Rhea Ripley is a true phenom, but as he is putting her over with praise… MICKIE JAMES ATTACKS HER FROM BEHIND WITH A STEEL CHAIR! Shades on Monday when Alexa Bliss did the same thing!
Mickie James lays into the champion with several strikes and gives her a bit of a beating in the ring before a swarm of security appears! Mickie breaks past them and gets one more steel chair shot off to the right leg before being dragged away as Rhea struggles to her feet. She pushes past the medical team and steps into the ring, not in a great way, as the usual announcements are done. Once they finish the referee calls for the bell and this match is underway!
Women’s Universal title match:
Rhea Ripley © vs Alexa Bliss
Rhea is furious and charges right at Alexa Bliss, but the smaller superstar moves quickly to avoid the champion! Alexa Bliss runs the ropes and catches Rhea with a DROPKICK TO THE BACK DROPPING RHEA TO HER KNEES! Bliss is quick to follow up by bouncing off the ropes and PLANTS RHEA WITH A TORANDO DDT! Alexa is quick to follow up with a cover 1 RHEA POWERS OUT! Bliss lands across the ring, almost shocked at the power of the kick out, as Rhea slowly rises back up, furious.
Alexa Bliss gulps very noticeably as Rhea charges towards her and again BLISS DUCKS UNDERNEATH IT! Bliss jumps off the ropes and hopes to bounce back… RHEA CATCHES HER AND TEASES GOING FOR THE RIPTIDE… BLISS DESPERATELY FIGHTS OUT OF IT! Bliss gets to her feet and runs off the ropes, hitting a BASEMENT DROPKICK TO THE RIGHT LEG! Rhea shouts in pain as Bliss follows up with a RUNNING BULLDOG! Bliss makes the cover again. 1 Rhea powers out!
Alexa Bliss climbs on top of Rhea Ripley and lays into her with a series of PUNCHES TO THE HEAD! She wails on Rhea Ripley with total venom… BUT RHEA GRABS HOLD OF HER BY THE THROAT AND SLOWLY RISES SLAMMING HER DOWN WITH A CHOKESLAM! Rhea makes the cover 1 2 Bliss kicks out! The commentary team says Alexa Bliss is going to need all the tricks in the books to overcome the champion’s power advantage tonight!
Bliss winces in pain with Rhea looking angry still due to the cheap attack before the bell by Alexa’s tag team partner. Rhea grabs hold of Alexa Bliss off the mat and stays in control with a SNAP SUPLEX… BUT HOLDS ON… ANOTHER SNAP SUPLEX… BUT SHE STILL HOLDS ON HITTING A THIRD SNAP SUPLEX BEFORE MAKING A COVER 1 2 Bliss kicks out! The crowd is loudly cheering for the champion now. She is in total control of the match!
Rhea Ripley grabs Alexa Bliss and TOSSES HER INTO THE CORNER OF THE RING WITH AN IRISH WHIP! Bliss’s back bounces off the turnbuckles as Rhea charges in and SMASHES BLISS WITH A BIG BOOT TO THE HEAD! Bliss drops down in the corner of the ring as Rhea Ripley backs away, slightly in pain, before charging back in, connecting with a HESITATION DROPKICK!
Bliss has been totally crushed in the corner as Rhea tosses her out of the corner and makes the cover 1 2 Bliss kicks out! Bliss is on the ropes as Rhea plays to the crowd once again, teasing that this is going to be the end of the match, getting her up in position for the RIPTIDE… BLISS COUNTERS INTO A SMALL PACKAGE!
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RHEA KICKS OUT!
Bliss nearly stole the match there! Rhea gets back to her feet as Bliss tries to get away from her, but Rhea SMASHES HER WITH A SERIES OF KNEES TO THE MID-SECTION! Bliss is clearly winded as Rhea looks to try to lift her into the air… BLISS LOOKS TO COUNTER WITH A TILT-A-WHIRL HEAD-SCISSORS… BUT RHEA OVERPOWERS HER AND POWERBOMBS HER DOWN TO THE MAT! Bliss crumples on the mat as Rhea makes the cover 1 2 Bliss kicks out!
Bliss writhes in pain as Rhea grabs hold of Bliss, laying a few strikes into her before lifting Alexa off the mat and HOLDING HER IN THE AIR UPSIDE DOWN! Rhea holds her in the air and STARTS TO WALK AROUND THE RING WITH ALEXA BLISS UPSIDE DOWN FOR ANOTHER 30 SECONDS BEFORE SLAMMING HER DOWN WITH A VERTICAL SUPLEX! Rhea makes the cover again 1 2 Bliss kicks out! Rhea is totally dominating the match, and Bliss is struggling to fight back against the champion!
Rhea grabs hold of Alexa and this time doesn’t go for the Riptide instead locking in the PRISM TRAP ON ALEXA BLISS WRENCHING BACK ON THE HOLD AS BLISS SCREAMS IN PAIN! Bliss is struggling to stay alive in this match as she looks to fight out of the hold with a few shouts to the back… BUT RHEA HOLD IT ON EVEN TIGHTER… BLISS COUNTERS INTO ANOTHER ROLL-UP!
1
BLISS HOOKS THE TIGHTS
2
RHEA STILL KICKS OUT!
Bliss is trying every trick in the book to try to win this match, but the champion keeps overcoming it! Rhea looks furious that Bliss tried to steal the victory and charges in looking for a BIG BOOT… BLISS DUCKS UNDERNEATH IT CAUSING RHEA TO SMASH LEG INTO THE RING POST! Rhea screams in pain as Bliss smirks and leaps up into the air, bringing Rhea down to the mat with a HAIR PULL MAT SLAM! Bliss then heads up top and dives off HITTING TWISTED BLISS! Bliss stays on for the cover
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RHEA KICKS OUT!
Alexa Bliss’s eyes bug out as she knows this was her best chance to put away the Women’s Universal Champion! Alexa tears at her hair before focusing on the job at hand as she gets to her feet and hits INSULT TO INJURY TO THE HEAD OF RHEA KEEPING HER DOWN! Bliss makes another cover 1 2 Rhea kicks out! Bliss looks annoyed but decides she is going to go for a SECOND TWISTED BLISS! Alexa climbs to the top rope and goes for it again… BUT RHEA MOVES OUT OF THE WAY!
Bliss lands with a hard thud as she slowly rises back to her feet, whilst Rhea Ripley TOWERS ABOVE HER! Bliss tries to get away from her… BUT RHEA GRABS HOLD OF HER ARM AND SPINS HER BACK AROUND… RIPCORD HEADBUTT! Bliss is rocked and knocked loopy as Rhea Ripley scoops her up into the air… RIPTIDE! Bliss is out for the count… BUT RHEA HEARS THE CROWD CHANTING ONE MORE TIME SO NODS… AND HITS A SECOND RIPTIDE BEFORE PINNING BLISS!
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Winner via pinfall and still Women’s Universal Champion: Rhea Ripley (7:03)
Rhea Ripley winces slightly due to the damage done to her right leg, but a routine defence for the Women’s Universal Champion tonight. Alexa Bliss is quick to roll out of the ring as the commentary team puts over the dominant performance tonight by Rhea Ripley and wonders who is next for the Women’s Universal Champion. She carries on her celebration in the ring…
CHARLOTTE FLAIR’S MUSIC HITS! The commentary team reminds us of the fact that the 9-time Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair had to vacate her Women’s Universal title due to injury and now she must be back to reclaim her throne. Inside the ring, Rhea Ripley stands in the middle of the ring daring Charlotte to face her, but there is no sign of the Queen… SHE SLIDES INTO THE RING BEHIND RHE RIPLEY AND SMASHES HER RIGHT LEG WITH A BASEBALL BAT!
Rhea Ripley falls to her knees and screams in pain due to the brutal attack, but the former champion is not done as SHE CRACKS THE BASEBALL INTO HER BACK BEFORE LAYING IN SEVERAL SHOTS! The crowd is loudly booing, but Charlotte doesn’t give a damn, going to work as she lays a beating on Rhea and leaving her looking vulnerable for the first time since she joined Monday Night Raw. Charlotte tosses the baseball bat away before looking at the Universal title on the mat and PICKS IT UP!
Rhea Ripley gets back to a kneeling position and CHARLOTTE FLAIR CLOCKS HER IN THE SKULL WITH THE BELT! Rhea falls back down to the mat as Charlotte stands over her, screaming in Rhea’s face that this title belongs to her and always will! Charlotte then sees some security guards coming out, looking to bring this to a stop… CHARLOTTE ATTACKS THEM USING THE BELT! Charlotte Flair has snapped here and wipes all the security guards out!
She then looks to Rhea Ripley and has an idea as she drags her through the ropes to the second ring set up for the War Games next to them! She brings her to the furthest ring, closest to the commentary desk and wraps Rhea Ripley around the ring post. Charlotte rolls out of the ring and starts to SMASH THE RIGHT LEG OF RHEA INTO THE RING POST IN FURIOUS FASHION! Charlotte Flair is relentless here as the commentary team mentions Tegan Nox will have left the arena with Dakota Kai so there is no one to help the champion!
Charlotte Flair then grabs hold of the right leg of Rhea Ripley and LOCKS IN A FIGURE FOUR LEGLOCK AROUND THE RING POST! Loud boos from the live crowd as Charlotte wrenches on the hold and looks to break the right leg of Rhea. More security appears this time, and they finally manage to drag Charlotte Flair away from the Women’s Universal Champion, shouting all the way that she wants her title back, whilst the medical team comes over to Rhea to check on her.
The Women’s Universal Champion is in a ton of pain and struggles to get back on her feet, and needs help from the medical team to stand up at first. The Champion winces in pain but ends up pushing the medical team away and starts to walk up the entrance ramp under her own power. The crowd loudly cheers for the Women’s Universal Champion as the commentary team turns the attention to the War Games cage, starting to slowly descend, and they confirm our main event is up next!
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We cut to a video package showing the rivalries between The New Day and The Hurt Business, as well as The Street Profits against The Hurt Business. We see highlights of the groups colliding before cutting to the images of The New Day and The Street Profits winning all of the men’s titles on Monday Night Raw off of the Hurt Business. The image of The New Day finishing Night 1 of WrestleMania 37, celebrating as they all hold a singles title and The Street Profits holding the tag team titles, plays before we cut to an angry promo from The Hurt Business with MVP front and centre.
The leader of the Hurt Business makes it clear that they had the worst night in the group’s history, and they need to get back on track. We see the group laying waste to The New Day and The Street Profits, laying them out backstage. The Hurt Business made it clear they were ready to go to war, as did The New Day and Street Profits. We would see a promo from Wade Barrett, who would soon make it official, as the video ends with a long series of clips showing the mass brawls before we cut back to the ring for the main event.
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THE HURT BUSINESS marches out first, with MVP leading SAMOA JOE, SWERVE STRICKLAND, LIO RUSH, SHELTON BENJAMIN and CEDRIC ALEXANDER. MVP glances at his clients, signaling them toward the waiting cage—all but Swerve Strickland and Lio Rush. He pauses to stress the significance of the night, reminding the group that any issues must remain in the back. After making his point, MVP sends Lio Rush to the ring to begin War Games. The commentary team quickly highlights that Lio faces a grueling challenge, starting the match and having to endure until the end.
THE STREET PROFITS make their way out next, getting loud cheers from the crowd. There is no dancing or drinking from red cups this time as they lift their World tag team titles into the air before staring down The Hurt Business members inside the cage. MONTEZ FORD and ANGELO DAWKINS chat to each other outside their team’s cage. The commentary team speculates that one of the Street Profits may want to start this match off.
THE NEW DAY strides out, drawing huge cheers from the crowd. Forsaking their usual antics, they adopt a serious demeanor as they join The Street Profits at the top of the entrance ramp. BIG E hoists his WWE title into the air, followed by KOFI KINGSTON raising his Intercontinental title and XAVIER WOODS brandishing his Cruiserweight title overhead.
After a quick chat, The New Day nods, sending Montez Ford towards the ring before heading into their cage with Angelo Dawkins. The commentary team notes that Montez Ford, over the last couple of years, has been showcasing his skills independently, but this will be a huge test against a former champion at the start of War Games. They also give us a rundown of the rules for War Games (WWE rules except the leaving case rule is not mentioned). Montez Ford stands across the ring from Lio Rush as the referee calls for the bell to start the match.
Winner takes all War Games match:
(If Hurt Business wins they get all their gold back; if they lose they cannot challenge for the titles while The New Day and Street Profits hold them)
The New Day and The Street Profits (Big E, Kofi Kingston, Xavier Woods, Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins) © vs The Hurt Business (Samoa Joe, Swerve Strickland, Lio Rush, Shelton Benjamin and Cedric Alexander)
Both men are in the ring on the left-hand side and slowly walk around, with Lio Rush noticeably not doing any of his normal trash talk in the opening stages of the match. Montez Ford also has a serious expression on his face and charges forward trying to grab hold of the smaller Lio Rush, but he ducks and SPRINGBOARDS BACK OFF THE ROPES WITH A DROPKICK SENDING FORD DOWN! Rush gets back to his feet and follows up with a BASEMENT DROPKICK TO FORD!
Rush takes control early on in the match as we cut to the Hurt Business cage watching at the top of the ramp. We can see MVP watching closely as he seems to be planning out who will enter the match next. In the other cage, The New Day and Dawkins are shown supporting Montez and cheering him on to succeed. Back in the ring, Lio is laying into Montez with a bunch of kicks and keeps the pressure up as he looks to run the ropes again… FORD COUNTERS AND SEND HIM FACE-FIRST INTO THE CAGE WALL!
The crowd loudly cheers as Lio’s head bounces off the cage, but Montez Ford is not done there grabbing hold of Lio’s head SLAMMING IT INTO THE CAGE SEVERAL TIMES! Lio Rush falls to the mat in pain as the commentary team points out that this is going to be a long 5 minutes for Lio if he doesn’t figure out a way to turn things around during this match. Montez plays to the live crowd a bit before grabbing hold of Lio Rush from behind SLAMMING HIM DOWN WITH A GERMAN SUPLEX… FOLLOWS UP WITH A LARIAT!
Lio Rush does a full flip in the air before landing on the mat as he struggles to survive against Montez Ford so far! One-half of the World Tag Team Champions grabs the Cruiserweight and looks to lift him into the air, and escapes landing in the other ring! Montez Ford wastes no time looking to SPRINGBOARD ONTO HIM… BUT LIO CATCHES HIM IN MID-AIR WITH A DROPKICK! Boos from the crowd, but Lio doesn’t care, smirking as he talks some trash to Montez.
Lio Rush leaps over the ropes and comes bouncing back off them, hitting Montez Ford with a MOONSAULT to cheers from the live crowd. Back at the Hurt Business cage, we can see MVP watching along and looking impressed with Rush as he takes control of the match. The commentary team points out the match can’t be won at this early stage, but it can easily be lost if the men starting the match take too much damage. Lio Rush grabs hold of Ford and gets ready to toss him into the CAGE WALL…
BUT FORD COUNTERS SENDING LIO INTO IT INSTEAD! Montez Ford overpowers Lio Rush before signalling to the live crowd and hits him with an NBA SLAM INTO THE CAGE WALL! Montez Ford grabs hold of Lio Rush and sends him back across the ring with a BELLY TO BACK SUPLEX! Lio Rush lands with a hard thud on the mat as we cut back to the Hurt Business cage, showing MVP looking on, angry with how it is going, whilst Swerve trash-talks Lio. Joe steps forward, calming him down, before we cut back to the ring.
Montez Ford heads to the top rope and waits for Lio Rush to get back to his feet and flies off the top rope, hitting a DIVING CLOTHSELINE FROM THE TOP ROPE! The commentary team notes that Montez might be able to pick up the win here and now in a normal match, but right now, it is about doing as much damage as possible before the next entrant steps into the cage. Montez Ford grabs hold of Lio Rush and teases going for a ROCK BOTTOM…
RUSH COUNTERS WITH A CUTTER DROPPING FORD! A great counter from Lio Rush, showing off his signature agility and speed, something that is not normally conducive to this kind of environment. Lio heads to the corner of the ring and seems to be lining Montez Ford up for the FINAL HOUR… BUT FORD GETS UP AND JOINS HIM UP TOP AS THEY BATTLE FOR CONTROL!
The two men battle for a while with punches, trying to overwhelm the other but Ford wins out in the battle SLAMMING THE BACK OF LIO’S HEAD INTO THE CAGE WALL! He then turns Lio around and SLAMS HIM DOWN WITH AN AVALANCHE ROCK BOTTOM! Brutal impact as Lio Rush hits the canvas and Montez gets back to his feet staring at the clock which has begun to tick down. He leaves Lio in the ring on the right-hand side and waits by the door for the next entrant.
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Entrant 2: Shelton Benjamin
MVP turns to Shelton Benjamin and nods, signalling it is his turn to step into the ring for The Hurt Business. He sprints to the ring with a purpose as Montez Ford stands in the middle of the ring and dares him to bring the smoke! The cage door is opened and Shelton LEAPS OFF THE ROPES HITTING A SPRINGBOARD FOREARM DROPPING MONTEZ FORD! Shelton gets back to his feet, looking serious, and grabs hold of Montez Ford, sending him into the cage wall!
The veteran shows his experience, immediately knowing how to use the steel cage wall to his advantage in this match. He grinds Montez Ford’s face into the cage wall, running it up and down the wall to do further damage until Montez manages to fight back, sending Shelton backwards from the cage wall. Montez takes a moment to get his bearings back after being slammed into the wall by Shelton, but starts rocking the former Intercontinental Champion with a series of punches!
Shelton starts trying to fight back with a series of punches of his own, rocking Ford… BUT FORD FIRES BACK WITH A DISCUS PUNCH DROPPING HIM! Montez doesn’t slow down there and lifts Shelton off the mat, hitting him with a BACK SUPLEX INTO A STANDING MOONSAULT! Montez gets back to his feet as the commentary says he is showing out tonight! Montez heads to the corner of the ring where it meets the other ring, ready to go for FROM THE HEAVENS… LIO RUSH LEAPS UP AND HITS HIM WITH A TOP ROPE SPANISH FLY!
The crowd loudly pops for that insane move from Lio Rush, who walks over to Shelton Benjamin and helps his teammate back to his feet. The two men have a little bit of a chat with Lio listening to the veteran, who gives him some instructions as they look to take advantage of the numbers advantage they have. Shelton and Lio lay into Montez with a bunch of stomps to him. Shelton then sends Lio Rush to the corner of the ring as they look to do more damage.
Shelton Benjamin lifts him off the mat and locks him in a BACKBREAKER POSITION WITH LIO RUSH DIVING OFF THE TOP ROPE HITTING A DOUBLE FOOT STOMP TO FORD! Ford crumples to the mat as the Hurt Business starts to take total control of this match, using the advantage they have in this match to full effect! Shelton grabs hold of Montez, looking to pick him up again… BUT MONTEZ COUNTERS WITH A NECKBREAKER DROPPING HIM TO CHEERS!
Montez turns around but doesn’t have long to react, getting sent through the ropes with a DROPKICK BY LIO RUSH! Montez lands in the right-hand side ring as Rush runs the ropes before bouncing off the two ropes in the middle of the two rings, catching Montez Ford with a SPRINGBOARD HURRICARANA! He sends Montez into the cage wall as he stands tall and lays in a bunch of strikes. Shelton thinks about joining him in the ring but hears the clock counting down and decides to stay in the left-hand ring waiting for the next entrant…
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Entrant 2: Angelo Dawkins
After a quick chat inside the cage, The New Day agrees to let Angelo Dawkins be the next man to enter War Games! He sprints to the ring and wastes no time in going after Shelton Benjmain right in the middle of the left-hand ring! The crowd loudly cheers as we can see each member of The Street Profits in each of the rings battling with a member of The Hurt Business! Dawkins manages to overwhelm Shelton Benjamin and SLAMS HIM DOWN WITH A POP-UP SPINEBUSTER WHILST FORD HITS RUSH WITH A DDT!
Angelo and Montez both get back to their feet, looking at each other with a big smile on their face as they share a fist bump across the two rings. They turn around to see Shelton Benjamin and Lio Rush getting back to their feet, hitting both men with DUAL DROPKICKS! Angelo then calls over to Montez, who heads to the corner of the ring and climbs to the top rope. Dawkins gets Shelton into an electric chair position as Ford gets to the top rope before diving off HITTING A DIVING BLOCKBUSTER TO BENJAMIN OFF THE SHOULDER OF DAWKINS!
A cool double team move from the Street Profits, who take a moment to share a hug in the middle of the ring. The commentary team puts over the unity of the World tag team champions, but as they turn around, they get hit with a DOUBLE DROPKICK OFF THE ROPES FROM LIO RUSH! Boos from the live crowd, but Rush doesn’t care as he looks to get back on top whilst numbers are even. He gets back to his feet and starts to lay into the pair of them with kicks as they try to get back to their feet!
Angelo catches Lio’s leg, though, and this gives Montez the chance to dive forward, wiping him out with a JUMPING CLOTHESLINE! Lio Rush falls to the mat with a thud as Montez and Dawkins carry on working together as a cohesive unit in this match. Shelton gets back onto his feet, though, and catches Ford out with a SUPERKICK! Montez falls back to the mat as Shelton turns around to charge at Dawkins, who responds by BACKDROPPING HIM INTO THE OTHER RING!
Dawkins doesn’t let up, climbing through the ropes and grabs hold of Shelton, looking to send him into the cage wall once again! Dawkins lays into Shelton as the two men brawl in the ring on the right, whilst Montez Ford and Lio Rush start to brawl in the ring on the left-hand side. The crowd is loudly behind the Street Profits in this battle, but the clock starts to tick down as the numbers are about to return to being in favour of The Hurt Business!
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Entrant 3: Swerve Strickland
Samoa Joe steps forward, but Swerve puts an arm out, stopping him. They go nose to nose, but MVP says let him go, and Swerve slowly starts to walk to the ring, getting loud boos from the live crowd. He takes his time walking down the entrance ramp in no hurry to step inside, and instead of joining his teammates in the ring, he heads to the ring apron looking for a few weapons! He takes a few moments to look under the ring before pulling out a TRASH CAN WITH A BUNCH OF WEAPONS IN IT!
Swerve slowly walks towards the door and shouts to the referee, telling him to keep the door open for now. Swerve steps through the ropes and takes out a 2X4 PLANK OF WOOD AND CLOBBERS A CHARGING MONTEZ FORD WITH IT! Montez falls down to his knees as the shot to the mid-section, but Swerve follows up CRACKING IT OVER HIS BACK, BREAKING IT AS WELL! Swerve tosses the broken pieces out of the cage before shouting to Lio to grab the trash can!
Lio looks at Swerve with disdain but does what his teammate says, grabbing the trash can with the weapons, allowing the referees to close the cage door again. Dawkins has taken control of the brawl with Shelton Benjamin, but turns around into a SWERVE HITTING HIM WITH A ROLLING THUNDER FLATLINER! Dawkins falls to the mat as Swerve checks on his teammate and has a chat with the veteran for the moment. Swerve then looks over to Lio, who has brought the weapons closer to the ropes, and tells him to pass them the goods!
Lio looks at Swerve, not happy at the way Swerve is speaking to him but focuses on getting the job done inside of War Games. He pulls out two more planks of wood, keeping one for himself and giving the other one to Shelton. Lio turns around as Ford comes charging in and clobbers him with the PLANK OF WOOD! Swerve takes the trash can and pulls it into the ring he is in instead. He pulls out a bag from the trash can and places it in the corner, whilst also putting a STEEL CHAIN IN HIS POCKET!
Shelton lays into Dawkins with the PLANK OF WOOD looking to keep Dawkins down on the mat, but he starts to fight back, wrenching the piece of wood away and CATCHES SHELTON WITH IT… SWERVE SMASHES HIM IN THE BACK WITH THE TRASH CAN! Dawkins falls to the mat as Swerve drops the trash can to the mat, having evil intentions. He grabs hold of Dawkins and lifts him up… HITTING BIG PRESSURE ONTO THE TRASH CAN BREAKING IT!
Dawkins is in a ton of pain as Swerve checks on Shelton before telling him to look at the other ring, as we can see Montez in control against Lio Rush. Montez has taken the plank of wood and is PRESSING IT INTO LIO RUSH AS HE IS UP AGAINST THE CAGE WALL! However he is soon jumped by Swerve and Shelton, who lay a beating onto Ford and are carrying on the beatdown as the clock starts to tick down ahead of the next entrant!
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Entrant 3: Big E
The New Day has a short discussion with their cage before Big E steps forward and sprints to the ring! He gets to the ringside area and looks underneath the ring… GRABBING A TABLE! He tells the referee to open the door as Shelton comes forward to confront him… TABLE TO THE GUT DROPPING HIM! Big E doesn’t stop there and looks underneath the ring to grab a second table. He climbs into the ring as SWERVE TRIES TO STOP HIM… TABLE TO THE GUT OF SWERVE AS WELL!
Big E puts the table down on top of the other unset up one and looks to get to work! He gets into the ring and grabs hold of Lio Rush, lifting him into the air. Big E military press tosses him into the cage wall! Lio lands with a hard thud and slides down. He is now feeling the effects of over 15 minutes in the match. Big E turns as Shelton Benjamin charges in, trying to take him down, but Shelton gets slammed to the mat with an OVERHEAD BELLY-TO-BELLY SUPLEX!
Big E gets back to his feet and sees Swerve Strickland standing by the ropes that join together the two rings… AND SPEARS HIM THROUGH THEM SENDING THE TWO OF THEM CRASHING INTO THE OTHER RING! Big E rolls off of Swerve and winces in pain, but the crowd is loudly behind the WWE Champion, who has turned the tide for his team! Dawkins, who had been slammed onto the trash can, gets to his feet and looks to Big E as both share a nod before LIFTING SWERVE UP AND SLAMMING HIS BACK INTO THE CAGE WALL!
They could stop with one slam, but they have no intention as they pick up Swerve SLAMMING HIM INTO THE CAGE WALL AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN! This goes on until Shelton Benjamin re-enters the right-hand side ring and starts to try to take down Dawkins and Big E! They drop Swerve, leaving him pressed against the cage wall, and both look to block the strikes from Shelton as they go for a DUAL ELEVATED POWERBOMB… SHELTON FIGHTS OUT OF IT AND SENDS BIG E INTO A DIVING LIO RUSH!
A nice moment of teamwork between The Hurt Business as Lio gets back to his feet and looks to go after Dawkins… BUT FORD RE-ENTERS THE RIGHT-HAND RING! The World tag team champions stand together and fight back against Rush and Benjamin here! The tag team champions are able to work together better as a team, fighting them off as BIG E GRABS SHELTON AND BUCKLE BOMBS HIM INTO THE CORNER! Meanwhile, Ford hits Rush with a FRONT DROPKICK before Dawkins follows up with a RUNNING SPLASH!
The champions are taking control of this match as we can see The Hurt Business laid out across the two rings. Big E talks to The Street Profits as they nod and Big E heads to the other ring as he walks over to the corner to pass them a table from the corner of the ring which they set up in the corner of the ring in the right-hand ring. Big E grabs the other table and places it in the corner upright before grabbing Swerve to bring him to his ring, whilst Street Profit grabs Rush and Benjamin… BUT THE CLOCK STARTS TO TICK DOWN!
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Entrant 4: Samoa Joe
Cedric steps forward, ready to enter the match, but Samoa Joe puts an arm out. He looks at MVP, who nods and sends the former WWE Champion down to the ring! Joe doesn’t spend any time grabbing any weapons and steps right into the cage, coming face to face with the man who beat him for the WWE title, Big E! Both men stare each other down before trading punches in the middle of the ring to the delight of the live crowd. Both men are evenly matched until… SWERVE SNEAK ATTACKS BIG E WITH A SUPERKICK TO THE SIDE OF THE HEAD!
Joe looks a bit annoyed at first, but does share a fist bump with his partner, Swerve Strickland. Joe gives some instructions to Swerve before he grabs hold of Big E and sends him into the top left-hand corner of the ring. Joe crushes him in the corner as he starts to pepper Big E with a series of chops in the corner of the ring. Whilst this is happening, Swerve Strickland helps Shelton Benjamin and Lio Rush in their battle with The Street Profits as the numbers game overwhelms the World tag team champions!
Swerve issues some instructions to Lio Rush, telling him to grab the plank of wood, which again annoys Lio, having to be told what to do by Strickland, but he does it for the good of the team. He grabs the piece of wood and paces it to Swerve, who uses it to CHOKE MONTEZ ON THE MAT! The crowd boos as Swerve proves to be vicious in his assault. Dawkins looks to fight back, but SHELTON CATCHES HIM A T-BONE SUPLEX WHILST LIO HITS HIM WITH THE FINAL HOUR!
The Street Profits lay down and out as Swerve tosses the piece of wood to the side, as we see the dangers of not having the advantage inside of War Games fully on show right now. In the other ring, Joe, who has been using his power to overwhelm Big E in the corner, looks to drag him out of the corner for a FOLDING POWERBOMB… BIG E FIGHTS BACK AND OVERPOWERS HIM BEFORE PLANNING JOE WITH THE BIG ENDING TO LOUD CHEERS FROM THE CROWD!
Big E gets back to his feet, standing over Samoa Joe as he turns around to see Shelton Benjamin trying to charge in at him… JOE RUNS THROUGH HIM WITH A BODY BLOCK! Lio Rush looks to leap off the top rope and dive onto him…. BIG E CATCHES HIM AGAIN! Big E lifts him up into the air above his shoulders and sees Swerve Strickland looking to come at him… MILITARY PRESS TOSS INTO THE OTHER RING WIPING OUT SWERVE STRICKLAND!
Big E’s power is allowing him to fight back against everyone in this match! Big E stands tall, but HE GETS GRABBED FROM BEHIND BY SAMOA JOE WHO LOCKS IN THE COQUINA CLUTCH! Joe wrenches back on the hold and chokes the life out of Big E on the mat. Joe keeps the hold tight on until Big E passes out on the mat, and Joe tosses him to the side, glaring at Big E on the mat. The rest of the Hurt Business in this match start to rise to their feet as the clock starts to run down ahead of the next entrant!
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Entrant 4: Kofi Kingston
Kofi looks at Xavier Woods and nods before sprinting to the ring, looking to help his close friend! He makes it to the bottom of the entrance ramp and takes a moment to grab a whole bunch of STEEL CHAIRS FROM UNDER THE RING! He places the steel chairs on the steel steps and grabs one before SMASHING JOE IN THE GUT AS HE TRIES TO CHARGE IN! Shelton Benjamin is next, but Kofi catches him WITH A CHAIR SHOT AS WELL!
Kofi is going wild as he checks on Big E and passes him the steel chair before heading back towards the door, bringing the rest of the steel chairs into the ring. He puts 3 of them down by the ropes and grabs another one for himself! Kofi heads into the right-hand side ring as Swerve Strickland tries to get up, but KOFI CLOBBERS THE FORMER INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPION! Kofi turns around, ready for what’s next… LIO RUSH KICKS THE CHAIR INTO KOFI’S FACE!
Lio Rush takes a moment to rest by the ropes, feeling every minute of this match having been inside the cage for over 20 minutes at this point. He looks to grab hold of the chair on the mat… BUT MONTEZ PUTS HIS FOOT ON IT! Rush looks worried as DAWKINS CONNECTS WITH A POUNCE, SENDING LIO RUSH FLYING ACROSS TO THE OTHER RING WITH A THUD! Kofi is down on the mat recovering as Dawkins tells Montez to keep an eye on Swerve, and he starts working over him in the corner of the ring.
Dawkins steps through the ropes in the ring on the left-hand side and looks to head over to the corner to grab one of the steel chairs… BENJAMIN LOW BLOWS DAWKINS! Loud boos from the crowd, but it is all legal as Shelton shows how desperate things are getting inside of the War Games structure! He buckles over as Shelton looks to grab hold of him… BIG E SMASHES HIM IN THE BACK WITH THE STEEL CHAIR! Big E is back on his feet, and the WWE Champion looks to take back control of the match!
Big E shouts loudly to cheers from the crowd as he gives Shelton a few more shots with the steel chair. He then places the steel chair on the mat in an UPRIGHT POSITION BEFORE GRABBING SHELTON LOOKING FOR THE BOOTY DROP ONTO THE CHAIR… BUT LIO RUSH JUMPS ON HIS BACK TRYING TO STOP HIM! Big E is forced to drop Shelton Benjamin… BUT DAWKINS GRABS HOLD OF HIM AND CRASHES INTO THE CAGE WALL ACROSS THE RING!
Big E meanwhile, looks to grab hold of Rush and slam him down to the mat in front of him. He looks to grab hold of Rush on the mat… BUT JOE CLOBBERS HIM FROM BEHIND! Joe is not done there as he looks at the steel chair upright in the middle of the ring and lifts Big E up… MUSCLEBUSTER ONTO THE STEEL CHAIR BREAKING IT! Big E falls to the mat and looks down for the count as the commentary team wonders if he will be able to do anything for the rest of the match. The clock starts to tick down as things will only get worse for the New Day and The Street Profits now the numbers are uneven again…
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Entrant 5: Cedric Alexander
Cedric Alexander steps forward as the last man from the Hurt Business to enter War Games but noticeably, MVP WALKS TOWARDS THE RING WITH HIM! The commentary team mentions this can’t be a good thing and points out that War Games has no disqualifications, so if MVP wanted to enter the ring, the referees would not be able to disqualify The Hurt Business! He chooses not to step into the ring and instead passes Cedric Alexander his CANE!
Cedric steps inside the ring with the weapon in hand and a slight smirk on his face, as he stands next to the man with whom he was formerly tag team champions with Shelton, as they discuss tactics. Dawkins gets back to his feet, but Cedric keeps him down with a CANE SHOT TO THE SKULL! Joe then talks to Lio, who nods, and they head into the other ring, joining in as they attack Kofi and Montez. Swerve has to take his time to recover from the damage done to him so far.
The crowd is loudly booing, but The Hurt Business doesn’t care. They start to take control and dominate the match in the final period, where the group will have the numbers advantage. MVP can also be heard at ringside shouting instructions to everyone in the match and telling them what they need to do. They look to cause as much damage as possible before Xavier enters the ring to start the match beyond for real. Swerve walks over to MVP, and MVP PASSES A CHAIN WITH A PADLOCK UNDERNEATH THE CAGE WALL TO HIM!
Swerve puts the chain around his fists as he lays into Kofi with a FEW HARD STRIKES TO THE HEAD! He drops Kofi to the mat before walking over to the left-hand ring and USES THE CHAIN TO LOCK THE DOOR FROM INSIDE THE CAGE! The referees outside the ring are furious as it now means they won’t be able to open the cage for Woods, giving The Hurt Business even longer to inflict pain on The New Day and The Street Profits!
Kofi Kingston gets back to a seated position in the right-hand ring and he is THE FIRST MAN INSIDE THE MATCH TO BE BUSTED OPEN! Blood pours down his forehead, but it doesn’t get any better as Samoa Joe goes on the attack! He presses the skull of Kofi into the cage wall whilst Rush uses the piece of wood to lay into Dawkins. In the left-hand ring, it is a 3 on 1 beatdown on Dawkins with Big E down on the mat and things are looking hopeless as the clock ticks down for the final entrant… BUT HOW WILL HE GET INTO THE CAGE!
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Entrant 5: Xavier Woods
Xavier Woods doesn’t waste any time and grabs a NEW-DAY THEMED TROMBONE SPRINTING TO THE RING READY TO ENTER WAR GAMES… BUT WHEN HE GETS TO THE RING THEY ARE STILL TRYING TO GET THE CAGE DOOR OPEN! The crowd are booing as inside the ring, we can see The Hurt Business are laying a beating on everyone in the ring and Woods can’t get in to help his teammates! MVP stands next to the referee’s shouting at Woods… SO XAVIER CLOBBERS HIM WITH THE TROMBONE!
MVP falls to the ring floor to the delight of the fans, with them being happy that Woods has shut up the manager for the Hurt Business before turning back to the cage door as the referee seems to be trying to get someone from the back to break this chain, locking the door. Woods starts to look under the ring apron, desperately looking for a way to get back into the cage… WHILST IN THE RING, SWERVE HAS ALEXANDER AND BENJAMIN HOLD DAWKINS… HOUSE CALL TO THE SIDE OF THE HEAD!
Swerve gloats but looks to do more damage heading over to the ring on the right-hand side. He sees Joe pressing Kofi into the cage wall, with parts of the structure now red with this blood! He then sees Lio laying into Montez Ford and tells him to hold him still, looking to go for a HOUSE CALL… BUT FORD COUNTERS SENDING LIO RUSH INTO THE ONCOMING PATH! Loud cheers from the crowd as Montez starts to fight back and hits Swerve with a SUPERMAN PUNCH DROPPING HIM!
Montez Ford is still managing to fight back even after nearly 30 minutes in this match… BUT JOE RUNS THROUGH HIM LIKE A FREIGHT TRAIN WITH A LARIAT! Joe cuts Ford off before he can get going and tosses Ford into the steel cage! Swerve gets back to his feet and is rubbing his jaw, looking annoyed… AS LIO RUSH PUSHES HIM AND SHOUTS AT HIM FOR THE HOUSE CALL! Swerve pushes back as the two men get in each other’s faces!
The two men bicker with each other as SAMOA JOE HAS TO STEP IN AND BREAK UP THE ARGUMENT! He tells both men that it's enough, but before they can react… BIG E IS BACK ON HIS FEET AND PUSHES SAMOA JOE INTO THE PAIR OF THEM BOWLING THEM OVER! Joe tries to get back to his feet, but BIG E SLAMS HIM INTO THE CAGE WALL WITH A BODY BLOCK! Big E then picks up Lio Rush and HITS A JACKHAMMER DROPPING HIM!
Swerve tries to lay into Big E, but Ford gets back to his feet and brawls with him to help Big E! The WWE Champion uses that to go back to attacking Joe whilst Dawkins and Kofi battle with Benjamin and Alexander! Meanwhile, outside the ring, after over 2 minutes of looking, has finally found THE TOOLBOX! He brings it over to the referee and passes them the BOLT CUTTERS ALLOWING THEM TO FINALLY BREAK THE CAGE TO UNLOCK THE DOOR! Xavier Woods slides the toolbox into the ring and the trombone before heading into the ring as the referee shuts the door and…
THE MATCH BEYOND BEGINS!
The crowd goes wild as Woods has finally gotten into the cage and he picks up the TROMBONE HITTING BENJAMIN AND ALEXANDER EACH WITH IT! The crowd cheers loudly as Woods is turning the tide; now the numbers are even. He then points to the other ring as Kofi and Dawkins follow him to the other ring as they start to beat down on Swerve and Joe until both men are forced into the other ring! Rush rolls inside the left-hand ring as well and both groups stand across from one another as they start THROWING HANDS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE RING!
The crowd is going wild as both teams are throwing everything behind each punch, but some competitors have been in the match for over 30 minutes! The brawl starts to break down in the following ways: Joe and Big E brawl into the left-hand ring, Cedric and Shelton get sent backwards into the left-hand ring by The Street Profits, Woods sends Rush back into the right-hand ring and sends him into the steel cage, Swerve grabs hold of Kofi and SLAMS HIM HEAD-FIRST INTO THE TURNBUCKLES JOINED TOGETHER!
The cut on Kofi’s head opens up even more and falls to the mat next to the bottom left corner of the right-hand ring! Swerve smirks happily at his handiwork and turns to his next target, Xavier Woods! Swerve grabs hold of Woods and looks to send him into the cage wall… BUT WOODS COUNTERS WITH AN ARM DRAG DROPPING SWERVE TO THE MAT! Swerve slams off the canvas as Woods follows up with a DROPKICK SENDING SWERVE INTO THE CAGE WALL!
Woods lays into Swerve with a series of FOOT STOMPS IN THE CORNER AS HE LOOKS TO TURN THIS AROUND FOR HIS TEAM! Woods is not done there as he grabs hold of the trombone on the mat and uses it to CHOKE SWERVE! Lio Rush gets back to his feet and takes a few seconds before finally helping Swerve and stopping him from choking the former Intercontinental Champion! He lays into Woods and snatches the TROMBONE FROM WOODS LOOKING TO USE IT HIMSELF…
KOFI TAKES IT FROM HIM! Lio Rush turns around and comes face to face with Kofi, who swings at him with TROMBONE BREAKING IT OVER HIS HEAD! Lio Rush falls to the mat, and Kofi looks to follow up by using the METAL TUBE TO LOCK HIM IN A SUBMISSION AROUND HIS NECK! A rarely used submission move by Kofi Kingston, but he looks to force Lio Rush to give up… SWERVE TRIES TO GET UP TO STOP KOFI… BUT WOODS CATCHES HIM WITH A JUMPING DDT! Woods makes the cover.
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SWERVE KICKS OUT!
Woods is doing a lot of damage to Swerve whilst Kofi pulls back on the hold even further… BUT RUSH RAKES THE EYES OF KOFI DESPERATELY TO ESCAPE FROM THE HOLD! The veteran is forced backward, but Rush gets to his feet as Woods grabs hold of Lio Rush, looking to finish off this war… BUT LIO RUSH COUNTERS HITTING THE FINAL HOUR! Lio Rush falls into the cover.
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WOODS KICKS OUT!
Lio Rush rolls off the cover of Xavier Woods and looks annoyed that wasn’t enough to finish this match. He looks at Woods and shakes his head, looking to head to the top rope, ready to go for THE FINAL HOUR… DAWKINS CLIMBS ONTO THE TOP ROPE WITH HIM AND BATTLES WITH LIO RUSH! Lio tries to fight back against Dawkins, but he manages to overpower him and SLAMS HIM DOWN WITH AN AVALANCHE SIT-OUT POWERBOMB! Dawkins is about to make the cover… BUT BENAJMIN AND CEDRIC ALEXANDER LAY INTO HIM STOPPING HIM!
The former tag team champions are keeping this match alive for their team and look towards the table in the corner of the ring, ready to send Dawkins through it… BUT HE FIGHTS BACK, TRYING TO GET OUT OF IT… BUT THEY TAKE HIM DOWN AND SLAM HIM TO THE MAT WITH A DUAL SUPLEX! They look over to the corner of the ring and see the steel chairs, grabbing hold of one each, ready to do more damage to Dawkins… BIG E RUNS THROUGH THEM WITH A DUAL CLOTHESLINE!
Big E gets back to his feet and looks to do more damage to them, but comes face to face with the former champion SAMOA JOE! The two men lay into each other with several powerful moves, trying to take each other down, before BIG E RAMS HIMSELF AND SAMOA JOE THROUGH THE TABLE THAT IS IN THE CORNER OF THE RING WIPING BOTH MEN OUT! The crowd cheers loudly as the giants take themselves out of the match for now, Benjamin and Alexander look to go after Dawkins…
MONTEZ FORD LEAPS OVER HIS TAG TEAM PARTNER AND WIPES THEM OUT! Montez gets back to his feet and gives Dawkins a fist bump as they discuss what to do next. Dawkins grabs hold of Cedric Alexander as he lifts him up, whilst Montez Ford climbs to the top rope as DAWKINS HITS A POP-UP SPINERBUSTER TO CEDRIC INTO MONTEZ FORD HITTING FROM THE HEAVENS! Montez stays on for the cover as Dawkins grabs hold of Shelton to stop him from breaking the cover.
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SWERVE HITS THE SWERVE STOMP TO BREAK THE COVER!
Strickland keeps the match alive for The Hurt Business before turning to Dawkins and laying into him with boots, forcing him to let go of Benjamin! The veteran gets back to his feet as Swerve tells him to grab the two steel chairs, having an idea! Swerve starts to his Dawkins with a STEEL CHAIR OVER HIS BACK BEFORE CATCHING WOODS AS HE TRIES TO DIVE INTO THE RING WITH A SHOT TO THE GUT! Swerve turns his attention back to Dawkins, gets the chair set upright, and lifts up Dawkins, teasing BIG PRESSURE ON THE CHAIR…
KOFI LEAPS OFF THE ROPES WITH A DIVING CLOTHESLINE TO THE BACK! Kofi saves Dawkins from a truly brutal impact and maybe his Intercontinental title at the same time! Benjamin looks to charge at Kofi, but the veteran avoids him and HITS TROUBLE IN PARADISE, SENDING HIM OUT OF THE RING TO THE OTHER ONE! Kofi turns back around into SWERVE HITTING HIM WITH TROUBLE IN PARADISE! Swerve makes the cover
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DAWKINS BREAKS IT UP!
Angelo Dawkins stops Swerve from being in big trouble and looks to now win the match for his team as he grabs hold of Swerve and sees the same steel chair he was trying to send him through… LIO RUSH GRABS THE PLANK OF WOOD FROM EARLIER AND CRACKS IT ACROSS THE BACK OF DAWKINS! Rush saves Swerve from getting his back destroyed as the tag team champion loosens his grip on Swerve and HITS A DDT ONTO THE STEEL CHAIR BREAKING THE SEAT! Swerve takes a moment to do so, but makes the cover
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WOODS PUSHES LIO ONTO SWERVE TO BREAK THE COVER!
Xavier looks to run off the ropes and go for the SHINING WIZARD… BUT SWERVE MOVES AND CONNECTS WITH A HOUSE CALL TO THE SIDE OF THE HEAD OF WOODS! Swerve though chooses not to make the cover, annoyed that he can’t seem to finish this match off. Instead, he gets to his feet and pulls Lio Rush off the mat, shoving him and shouting he got in the way again! Rush looks annoyed… AND SHOVES HIM BACK! Both men are at loggerheads and it looks like they are about to come to blows until MVP OUTSIDE THE RING TELLS THEM TO PULL IT TOGETHER!
Both men glare at each other, but do what MVP says. Swerve tells Lio to grab the bag before he grabs hold of Woods and TOSSES HIM INTO THE RIGHT-HAND RING! Lio grabs the bag and passes it to Swerve, who gets a twisted smile on his face POURING OUT A WHOLE BUNCH OF THUMBTACKS ONTO THE MAT! The commentary team mentions Swerve’s past and the fact that he is willing to do ANYTHING IF IT MEANS WALKING OUT AS THE VICTOR!
The right-hand ring now has thumbtacks all over the middle of it as Swerve looks to Woods, who is struggling on the mat, and lays into him with a series of punches to the head! Swerve tries to grab hold of Woods and send him into the tacks, but he fights back, refusing to go down. Rush looks to charge in to help Swerve… BUT DAWKINS POUNCES HIM INTO THE THUMBTACKS TO HUGE CHEERS FROM THE LIVE CROWD!
Lio Rush screams in pain, having landed in the tacks because of Dawson. You have to wonder if he is regretting letting Swerve bring those into the match! Dawkins doesn’t get much time to react. SHELTON BENJAMIN IS BACK UP AND LAYS INTO HIM! Shelton grabs hold of him as Dawkins tries to fight out of it. THEY END UP IN THE LEFT-HAND RING BRAWLING OVER THERE! Back in the right-hand ring, Swerve wins his battle with Woods and SLAMS HIM DOWN WITH BIG PRESSURE ONTO THE THUMBTACKS! Swerve bends down and makes the cover.
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KOFI BREAKS THE COVER!
Kofi winces in pain, having had to dive into the tacks to save the match, but that’s how much protecting one of his best friends means to him! Swerve looks furious as the bloody Kofi stands in front of him and tries to swing at him… SOS INTO THE THUMBTACKS!
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SWERVE KICKS OUT!
Kofi nearly outsmarted Swerve to win this match tonight, but he looks furious about it! Swerve connects with a SUPERKICK dropping Kofi before reaching into his pocket… AND PULLS OUT THE STEEL CHAIN! He looks to wrap it around his fist and goes to attack Kofi… BUT KOFI FIGHTS BACK AND SENDS A SWERVE INTO THE CORNER OF THE RING! Kofi leaps on them, smashing them with a series of punches to the head, going past the count of 10… SWERVE COUNTERS WITH A PUNCH USING THE STEEL CHAIN DROPPING KOFI!
Swerve slumps in the corner of the ring, ready to make the cover… MONTEZ FORD DIVES OVER THE ROPES AND HITS A FLYING BULLDOG STOPPING SWERVE! Ford considers making the cover, but instead sees Dawkins in a battle with Benjamin in the other ring and Shelton going for the T-BONE SUPLEX SO HE TRIES TO LEAP OFF THE ROPES ONTO HIM… CEDRIC CATCHES HIM IN MID-AIR AND HITS THE LUMBAR CHECK AT THE SAME TIME AS SHELTON HITS THE T-BONE SUPLEX! Both men make the cover
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THE STREET PROFITS BOTH KICK OUT!
Cedric and Benjamin both look exhausted and angry that they cannot pick up the victory in this match. They look at what they can do next and see the STEEL CHAIRS IN THE RING! Shelton places his chair underneath the head of Montez Ford as the commentary team mentions that this move has injured him before… AND ANGELO EXPLODES CHARGING AT CEDRIC TO SAVE HIS TAG TEAM PARTNER FROM THE LETHAL BLOW!
Cedric drops the chair, and Dawkins batters him on the mat with a series of punches to the head until SHELTON CLOBBERS HIM IN THE BACK TO STOP HIM! Shelton then turns his attention back to Montez and looks to go for the CON-CHAIR-CO… BUT MONTEZ MOVES JUST IN TIME! Montez rolls to the side as Shelton lifts the chair up one more time… MONTEZ CLOBBERS HIM WITH THE TOOLBOX TO THE SKULL! Shelton drops, and Montez makes the cover.
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JOE BREAKS THE COVER… AND LOCKS IN THE COQUINA CLUTCH!
Joe wrenches back on the lethal hold, trying to force Montez to tap here! He pulls away on the hold while bodies lie around him. Montez looks to be in big danger. BIG E BREAKS THE GRIP JOE HAS ON THE HOLD! The WWE Champion reappears to save his title. He pulls Joe up, getting ready to go for the BOOTY DROP… LIO RUSH REAPPEARS AND LOW BLOWS BIG E! LIO AGAIN PROVES VITAL FOR THE HURT BUSINESS AS JOE USES THIS TO GET BIG E UP AND HITS THE MUSCLEBUSTER! Joe makes the cover.
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RUSH BLOCKS WOODS!
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KOFI BREAKS THE COVER!
Kofi looks to go after Joe with a series of punches by Joe wrenches him off the mat and SLAMS HIM DOWN WITH A DRAGON SUPLEX! Rush meanwhile, hits Woods with a POISONRANA SLAMMING WOODS DOWN TO THE MAT! Joe then looks over at Big E, who is struggling to move on the mat and sees the chain next to Swerve Strickland, telling Rush to get him the chain, wanting to use it to finish off Big E and this match! Rush climbs into the left-hand ring and goes to get the chain…
BUT SWERVE HOLDS ONTO IT AND GETS UP ARGUING WITH LIO! Swerve asks what he is trying to do with his chain as Lio says he was passing it to Joe to finish this match, but Swerve isn’t listening to a word being said! Samoa Joe, who is waiting in the other ring, has had enough of this and steps into the right-hand ring with them as he demands the chain. Swerve shakes his head, asking Joe who made him boss, and Joe gets right in Swerve’s face, WITH BOTH MEN ABOUT TO COME TO BLOWS!
Joe tells them to stop this squabbling right now… BUT SWERVE PIEFACES JOE TELLING HIM TO STAY OUT OF IT! Joe looks furious and GRABS HOLD OF SWERVE PINNING HIM AGAINST THE WALL! Swerve looks angry but shows a bit of fear due to the larger Joe as Lio Rush tries to calm the situation down. Joe demands the chain from Swerve and he now gives it to Joe. Joe puts him down and heads to the other ring as he approaches Big E, ready to lock in the COQUINA CLUTCH USING THE STEEL CHAIN…
BUT BIG E HAS HAD THE TIME TO RECOVER AND REFUSES TO LET JOE GET THE HOLD LOCKED IN! Rush and Swerve, seeing this, try to join the ring to help Joe… BUT WOODS AND KOFI EACH WITH A PLANK OF WOOD IN HAND TAKE THEM BOTH DOWN! They lay into the pair, leaving Big E alone to overpower Joe… AND SNATCHES THE CHAIN FROM JOE! Big E wraps the chain around his fist and CLOBBERS JOE IN THE SKULL DROPPING HIM!
Big E then looks over in the ring and sees the steel chair from earlier, putting it in the middle of the ring. Big E lifts Joe up and PLANTS HIM ONTO THE STEEL CHAIR WITH THE BIG ENDING! Big E considers making the cover, but instead, he sees Kofi and Woods planning something in the other ring. Kofi and Xavier put Lio Rush on the table in the corner of the ring as XAVIER WOODS STARTS TO CLIMB THE CAGE WALL HEADING RIGHT TO THE TOP!
Cedric Alexander and Shelton Benjamin try to get up to stop them, BUT MONTEZ FORD AND ANGELO DAWKINS GET UP TO STOP THEM! They keep the former tag team champions at bay as SWERVE LOOKS TO MAKE THE SAVE… BUT BIG E GRABS HIM AND KOFI DIVES OFF THE TOP ROPE WITH THE MIDNIGHT HOUR! Dawkins meanwhile, hits a SPINNING NECKBREAKER ON CEDRIC whilst Montez hits SHELTON WITH ROCK BOTTOM! At the same time, Woods is on top of the steel cage and WALKS ALONG THE TOP BEFORE HITTING LIMIT BREAK TO RUSH ON THE TABLE DOWN BELOW! Woods makes the cover.
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Winners: The New Day and The Street Profits (46:54)
The crowd goes wild as The New Day and The Street Profits retain their titles within War Games. The champions all share a hug with each other in the middle of the ring, all feeling the effects of the war they went through to retain their titles tonight. All 5 men are passed their titles as they stand in the middle of the ring with the wreckage around them and lift their titles into the air. Michael Cole says their superior teamwork proved to be the difference, with Pat McAfee wondering what is next for The Hurt Business now they can’t challenge for any of the titles currently on Raw, whilst these 5 men remain champions!
They carry on the celebrations, whilst outside the ring, we can see a furious MVP looking at Swerve Strickland and Lio Rush still down in the ring. Samoa Joe snarls whilst Cedric Alexander and Shelton Benjamin shake their heads, devastated at the loss. Swerve and Lio eventually get back up from the damage they have suffered during this match, each giving the other death glares as Samoa Joe storms to the back and Backlash fades to black.
EWR Rating:
67%
