The Pandemic Project · Keep Your Distance · RAW · November 9, 2020 ·

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Monday Night RAW #1421 - August 17, 2020
WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida
SUMMERSLAM: THIS SUNDAY!

"Legendary" by Skillet

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Main Event #412August 20, 2020
1) The Viking Raiders def. Shane Thorne and Brendan Vink with the Viking Experience on Vink. "The Modern Day Vikings" looked to reinsert themsleves in the mix for a RAW Tag Team Championship opportunity against the Aussies from NXT. Thorne and Vink worked hard to keep Erik from Ivar, but once the tag was made, little worked out for "the Blokes from Down Under". (5:15)
2) Dana Brooke def. Jessamyn Duke with the Brooke Bomb. Returning from a shoulder injury, Dana found herself matched by the technical prowess of Jessamyn Duke. Determined to make a vital change to her career, Dana was driven yet her shoulder was targeted by the former Ultimate Fighter, which she did by picking up the win. (4:03)
3) R-Truth def. Akira Tozawa with the Attitude Adjustment. "John Cena's Biggest Fan" continued to show tribute to his idol, as "the Truth" combatted a fellow former WWE 24/7 Champion. With both continuing to scout Samoa Joe from afar, Tozawa missed a diving senton and fell victim to the Five Moves of Doom which would provide the rapper with the victory. (4:24)

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The opening video package aired, bringing us inside the WWE Performance Center. A small selection of WWE Universe members were standing on their feet, banging the plexiglass attentively, as we were now less than a week from "the Biggest Party of the Summer". Tom Phillips and Byron Saxton welcomed us to Monday Night RAW on a somber note, talking about the extensive injuries sustained to their broadcast colleague Christian last week at the hands of Randy Orton. In the WWE Legend's absence, the two talked about what could happen tonight with Bobby Lashley known to be in the building. Also tonight, the WWE World Champion Drew McIntyre would be here to address the beating received at the hands of Seth Rollins' Church last week.

  • Bobby Lashley returns
  • WWE World Champion Drew McIntyre addresses Seth Rollins' Church
  • Cross-Brand Number One Contender's Women's Tag Team Turmoil match
  • Charlotte Flair vs Bianca Belair
Meeting with the Capo
Six days away from his father's career and legacy being put at stake at SummerSlam, Dominik Mysterio made his arrival to a positive reaction. The WWE Performance Center were respectful, as Dominik arrived in the ring to chants of his Dad's name. With a smile, the youngster told the WWE Universe on behalf of the Mysterio Family - they appreciated the support. This Sunday, his old man had the opportunity to put a long rivalry to bed, but in doing so risked a thirty-one career. Setting the record straight on many of their recent disagreements, Dom admitted how he hated how stubborn Rey Mysterio could be: but that's because he loved and respected him more than anybody in this business. He remembered the first time he saw his old man compete, back when he was a toddler - he was in awe. He knew this was the business he wanted to get into, and he knew he was one in a thousand of WWE Superstars who were inspired and influenced by him. This Sunday had the potential to change the entire landscape of the WWE for years to come - and in mulling things over, he knew he had one man to blame for all of that: Andrade.

Dominik Mysterio spoke about watching Rey Mysterio compete between these ropes for years, and watching all of his biggest rivals come and go. Despite the many setbacks his father took, he never once considered retiring. He never wanted to give up. He was "the World's Biggest Underdog" at 165-pounds, 5'5 - and come SummerSlam this Sunday, Dom believed Andrade would see "the Legendary Luchador" in his ultimate form! Andrade interrupted to loud boos, flanked by his business partner Zelina Vega. "El Capo" swaggered down to the ring with sunglasses on, smiling upon greeting the rookie in the ring. Laughing all the while, Andrade told Dominik how proud he was of him. Ever since he made a man out of him at the Horror Show at Extreme Rules, he finally looked like a Mysterio should. Not that that was saying much at all, but it was a start! Dom refused to back down, asking Andrade what more he had to say. Was naming, shaming, humiliating and screwing with his Dad not enough for him?

Andrade listened with a smirk as Dominik Mysterio asked if taking his father's livelihood away from him wasn't enough. "El Capo" snatched the microphone with confidence, telling Dominik that this is what he liked. The boy was finally coming to his senses, but he was looking the wrong way for trouble. Andrade claimed it wasn't he nor the rest of La Invasíon responsible for Rey Mysterio's selfish refusal in passing the torch to the next icon to come out of Mexico. If anything, Dom should be taking it out on his father for not stepping out of the limelight. To many luchadores, thirty years is a crowning achievement! It's a feather in the cap to make it that far, outlasting retirement, injury and old man aches. But for his father - it was just another way to be greedy. Andrade claimed Dom should be helping him to bring down Rey, but he would instead slap him across the face! The leader of La Invasíon simply grinned, as Dom warned him he wouldn't stand a chance at manipulating him - not in a million years!

Zelina Vega abruptly took the microphone and demanded Dominik Mysterio shut his piehole and listen to what they had to say. While Rey Mysterio was going around the planet becoming a global sensation - where was little Dominik? "The Legendary Luchador" was seven years into his career when he was born, which meant while he watched his father on television every week - he had lived a life in rose-tinted glasses, drinking the Mysterio Kool-Aid! Zelina tried to remind Dom of who left him alone in his poor mother's care all those years while Rey was off doing what only he could. Vega turned attention to after SummerSlam, what Dom would do when his old man wasn't around to fight his battles for him anymore. Andrade told him his business partner was right - he was going to flounder!

Andrade stepped towards the tormented Dominik Mysterio, telling him to admit it at long last: he could finally fall in line and become one of La Invasíon's hottest young prospects...or he could try to swim with the sharks on his own, and drown trying. Coyly, "El Capo" quizzed Dom what it was going to be, taking him down with a double-leg takedown! Laying in hammerfists on Andrade, Vega tried to get involved just to be warded off by Rey Mysterio's son. Andrade tried to come from behind, just to receive a spinning headscissors! In-line for the 619, the second-generation Superstar hit the ropes - but Andrade flocked to ringside. Challenging him to a match right here and now, Dominik was ready: screaming for a referee!

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Back with a Vengeance
Bobby Lashley
stormed into the WWE Performance Center, immediately hurling his luggage bags to the floor behind him! Without skipping a beat, "the All Mighty" grabbed an innocuous referee by the collar and shoved him up against a door. With no Lana by his side, Lashley demanded to know where Randy Orton was. Looking to strike fear and interrogate the poor official, he claimed nobody had seen him since he took out Christian last week! Bob growled angrily as he asked if that was the truth, which it was. Begrudgingly, the Money in the Bank holder relinquished his grip - but not before powering him up against the wall again and telling him he wanted to know when he saw "the Viper" arrived. As the ref complied and scrambled down the hall, Lashley was here - and he was on the warpath!

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1) Andrade (with Zelina Vega) def. Dominik Mysterio (5:55)
- In an impromptu rematch from the Horror Show at Extreme Rules, Dominik Mysterio planned to give Andrade a tough road to the climax of his problems with Rey Mysterio this Sunday at SummerSlam, with a tilt-a-whirl arm drag sending "El Capo" out through the ropes. With a baseball slide, Dom went caught by his opponent, who sent him spine-first into the edge of the announce table! Zelina Vega watched on as Andrade aggressively took the fight to the son of "the Legendary Luchador" inside, as a succession of a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker tortured him. The rookie showed the same level of fight he had in their Extreme Rules match last month, catching his rival on the rebound with a springboard crossbody! A hurricanrana sent Andrade in-line for the 619, which connected - but as he attempted to Drop the Dime a la his father, the leader of La Invasíon rolled free before delivering a schoolboy buckle bomb! El Idolo planted the youngster, giving Andrade a dominant win.

Heading into SummerSlam, "El Capo" grinned triumphantly as he prepared to try and put an end to the thirty-one year career of Rey Mysterio. Dragging Dominik Mysterio to a seated position by the hair, Andrade showed his respect to Dom as Zelina Vega climbed into the ring. She would suddenly run scared however, and once the patriarch of La Invasíon came to realize this - from behind came Rey Mysterio with a steel chair shot to the spine! A second would see Andrade roll out in the nick of time, but as the business partners gathered confidantly on the rampway, Rey would bring his son to his feet and embrace him. Father and son reunited in what could be the final night on Monday Night RAW for Los Mysterios together.

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Shayna Baszler draped her neck with the black towel before throwing shadow-boxes, when into the locker room walked Nia Jax. Both unenthused to see one another, "the Queen of Spades" guessed correctly if this was about tonight's predicament. "The Irresistible Force" made no mistake about it that she couldn't stand her. Shayna told Nia she despised her - which begged both to question why the executives of USA Network were forcing them to team up. The two bickered back and forth about how their match could have gone last week, with Nia claiming she would crush her like a bug; and Shayna claiming she would have put Nia to sleep! Going head-to-head, "the Giantess" warned "the Submission Magician" to stay the hell out of her way tonight - otherwise, things could end badly for her. Baszler smiled back at her, telling Nia she would love to watch her try. She then exited the room, casually telling Nia not to screw tonight up - or else!

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Sarah Schreiber was standing by in the interview area with the woman who would take on Charlotte Flair one-on-one tonight, Bianca Belair. "The EST" was asked about her history with "the Queen", to which Bianca talked about how Charlotte was the epitome of somebody who was living luxuriously off her family's legacy. Here was a girl who had everything handed to her on a silver platter, and time and time again had taken moments from far more deserving WWE Superstars - herself included! Belair spoke about how Charlotte had already had her shot and blown it against Asuka, which made her question why Asuka was willing to put the RAW Women's Championship on the line again at SummerSlam. One thing was for sure: Bianca was about to jump straight to the front of the line and stamp her own ticket to the title.

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Something Omos Comes This Way
Tom Phillips
and Byron Saxton discussed Asuka defending the RAW Women's Championship again against Charlotte Flair this Sunday at SummerSlam, when the two were suddenly interrupted by none other than Riddick Moss! "So Smooth" appeared aggravated as he talked about the shoddy treatment he received last week by the security staff here at the WWE Performance Center. The problem wasn't him - nor was it ever! Moss harped on about his accomplishments, being a former WWE 24/7 Champion, and a future WWE Legend. Nobody was smoother than Riddick Moss - and he demanded respect! Riddick continued to ramble on about Heath Slater, and the amount of times that washed-up, unemployed moron had managed to intrude the WWEPC week-in and week-out. He demanded more from not only the brass who ran Monday Night RAW for their safety as WWE Superstars - but more from the WWE Universe, who wouldn't give him the time of day.

Ominous music suddenly rang out over the WWE Performance Center, bringing Riddick Moss to yell at the production truck to cut it out! Instead, "So Smooth's" jaw dropped once he glanced up the rampway to recognize the monstrous freak of nature bounding towards him. Omos was here on Monday Night RAW at last! Riddick foolishly planned a football tackle as "the Nigerian Nightmare" stepped foot onto the apron - just to bounce off of him. Omos stepped over the ropes like it was nothing, before grabbing Moss by his colossal-sized hands and performing two biel throws sending him across the ring! Moss was grabbed by the seat of his pants, prevented from making an escape. With a double-handed kneeling Chokeslam, the imposing 7'3 freakshow roared to a relieved response from the WWE Universe. Now he was here, what did Omos have planned for the rest of the RAW Brand?

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"K-BrO"
Kevin Owens
sat on a production cart backstage, as he spoke with Matt Riddle about how he couldn't believe this was going to be allowed on USA Network. The WWE United States Champion believed the executives had lost their minds, when into frame came "the Original Bro" in one of Kev's shirts. Riddle said he loved it and would cherish it forever, asking KO where he could find more. "The Prize Fighter" shilled his WWEShop page, prepared to give Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson the whooping they deserved for last week's attack! But, the former Ultimate Fighter had one last pressing piece of business to discuss: what was their team name? Owens asked if they could talk about it later, but Riddle wanted to run some ideas past him! Quizzed which he liked better: "The Kevin Owens Bro", or "K-Bro", the champ responded he'd have a think about it on his way to the ring. Riddle was left behind to sit his KO-branded snapback on his head, telling him he'd seen him out there. They would meet "the Good Brothers" of the O.C. up next!

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Footage aired from moments ago, recapping the unscheduled WWE debut of "the Nigerian Nightmare" Omos! Standing at an imposing 7'3, the giant would put the WWE Universe at ease by disposing of the problematic and constantly-moaning "So Smooth" Riddick Moss! What the big man's business would be on Monday Night RAW on the other hand, remained a mystery.

Coming off their spat this past week on Friday Night SmackDown, Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross talked in the backstage area about their strategy ahead of the Women's Tag Team Turmoil match tonight. Nikki wanted to take the time to apologize again for being so off the rails - hopefully her new medication would help. "The Goddess" hoped so too, but she'd said all she wanted to say. Asking Nikki if she was ready to take back the WWE Women's Tag Team Championships, the Scot was a ball of excitement personified. Coming to life, she was prepared for anything - no matter who they came up against, the two of them were best friends till the end and would prove it because they would not be stopped tonight! Alexa said she had missed Nikki, looking for a hug. Cross would surprise her with a big squeeze - refusing to let go. How would the former champions fare with a future title opportunity at stake tonight?

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2) WWE United States Champion Kevin Owens and Matt Riddle def. Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson (11:16) [THROUGH THE BREAK]
- With his WWE United States Championship up for grabs this Sunday against "the Phenomenal One", Kevin Owens and Matt Riddle looked to continue from where they left off against AJ Styles' heavies Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson. "The King of Bros" led the WWE Universe in a "K-Bro" chant to KO's bemusement, before catching KA by surprise with a rapid combination of strikes! Riddle scored with a takedown and teased applying a submission, though Anderson would squirm away to his corner. "The Big LG" came in in a foul mood, but he too would suffer the wrath of "the Original Bro's" offense, striking with a superman punch and a flying cross-armbreaker! Gallows would make the ropes, when a roundhouse kick knocked the big man down! "The Good Brothers" were being dominated, as Anderson would come to the big man's aid. Riddle tried to pose with "the Prize Fighter", who instead decided to attack the O.C. members from behind!
- The WWE United States Champion continued to get the better of Karl Anderson with a jumping senton, when "the Prize Fighter" teased knocking Luke Gallows out! It allowed KA to bounce back with a neckbreaker, and from there came the frequent tags from "the Good Brothers". Gallows and Anderson put the boots to Owens, who finally began to fight back as "the Big LG" tagged him with throat thrusts. The Boot of Doom was executed, though Matt Riddle made the save! As Anderson hit a spinebuster, he would ascend to the top rope when Owens surprised him with a Cannonball in the corner! A superplex took Anderson down, and the tag was made to Riddle. "The Original Bro" fired on all cylinders with a bicycle knee strike, and a backflip into a deadlift German suplex on the big man! Anderson came in and received a deadlift fisherman buster for his worries, when Gallows struck with a big boot. Owens snuck in with the Stunner, and Riddle would catch him with the BroMission - putting the big man to sleep!

Any Means Necessary
Matt Riddle had knocked Luke Gallows out cold for a second time in this match, as Kevin Owens fended off Karl Anderson. But with "the Big LG" knocked silly from the BroMission, "the King of Bros's" celebration saw him distracted - and down to ringside ran AJ Styles! The Phenomenal Forearm knocked Riddle down, when an attack of the WWE United States Champion went awry. Owens fired back against his SummerSlam opponent, sending him into the ropes and teasing for the Pop-Up Powerbomb - but instead AJ landed on his feet, and Anderson would strike with the Rocket Kick! As AJ buried "the Prize Fighter" with right hands from a mounted position, KA would slap Gallows back into consciousness. The O.C. were victimizing KO, as the trio sent Owens out to the floor. There, AJ removed the cover and items from atop the announce table at ringside - leading instructions for Gallows and Anderson to drive KO through the table with the Magic Killer! AJ stood tall with his henchmen, placing KO's title over his shoulder. Was this a sign of things to come six days from tonight?

︾︾︾

A Pleasure
Charly Caruso
was standing by backstage with Los Mysterios, as she welcomed Rey Mysterio back - on what could be his final appearance on Monday Night RAW. Dominik Mysterio pointed out Charly's attempts at dating Angel Garza in recent weeks, though "the Legendary Luchador" let cooler heads prevail. Rey knew that was a cold hard truth he would have to carry with him for the rest of the week. Reminiscing on his thirty-one year career, Rey was reminded of the first time he put on the mask in 1989 in Tijuana. Little did he know he would go on to be a "Human Highlight Reel" - someone to influence entire future generations of wrestlers! He'd lived a full life, winning World Championships, and competing in countless countries. Whether or not tonight would be his last night on RAW - it had been a pleasure. On Sunday at SummerSlam, his son was right: Andrade was going to see a whole different Rey Mysterio - and his career will live on. He and Dom departed, heading towards "the Biggest Party of the Summer".

︾︾︾

Backstage, the WWE World Champion had arrived. Drew McIntyre walked with purpose on his way to the ring. In a dress shirt and suit pants, "the Scottish Terminator" was steaming towards SummerSlam. After being beaten down by Seth Rollins and his Church last week, we would hear from the champ - up next!

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Graphics appeared on-screen as Tom Phillips and Byron Saxton discussed the news that broke earlier today across social media - the debut of 'the WWE ThunderDome'. Headlines from the likes of Variety, Sports Illustrated, CBS Sports, Yahoo Sports and ESPN were among the outlets which covered it, as this unprecedented interactive fan experience would begin this Sunday night with SummerSlam - as emitted from the Amway Center! To become a part of history in the making, WWE Universe members were implored to register with WWEThunderDome.com and find out how to become a part of "the Biggest Party of the Summer". A trial rehearsal would take place this Sunday afternoon!

  • SummerSlam - The WWE ThunderDome debuts

Monday Night RAW was sponsored tonight by SONIC's Toasted S'mores Shake - available for a limited time only!
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The Road to Rawlins Runs Through Drew

The presence of the WWE World Champion was felt, as Drew McIntyre emerged stoically to the WWE Performance Center. To a respectful response from the WWE Universe, "the Scottish Terminator" looked to each of the fans in attendance with a nod of acknowledgement. Climbing into the ring, Drew graced the microphone, talking about how he should be madder than he is right now. What Seth Rollins did last week rightfully should have sparked some sort of fire under the champion, but six days away from SummerSlam, Drew wasn't thinking too mighty about the idea of bashing "the Monday Night Messiah's" head in. The truth was, what he had his goons from the Church help him do last week, reeked of desperation. Looking to the selection of fans surrounding the ringside area, McIntyre asked around to know who believed in "the Messiah". Leaving the ring, the champ spoke through the plexiglass to the people and questioned who believed in "the Self-Fulfilling Prophecy".

To a negative response, the WWE Universe remained loyal to the WWE World Champion, who addressed the camera and told Seth Rollins directly that he thought that the prophecy was a load of cr*p! Drew McIntyre claimed "the Monday Night Messiah" started his own following to merely feed his own inadequacy, and while he had done so many unmatchable things in this business - that did not escape the fact he was the frontrunner of Monday Night RAW right now, and the road to 'Monday Night Rawlins' ran through him! McIntyre told Seth he might be a "Beastslayer" and a "Kingslayer", but he had yet to tame him, but dared to see him try. Seth Rollins came marching out to the stage, flanked by his Disciples. The Church stood behind "the Self-Fulfilling Prophecy", who swore Drew loved to hear his own voice as much if not more than he did! The next challenger to the title talked about McIntyre's rise to the top, how his ascent to the main event of WrestleMania was something years in the making!

"The Monday Night Messiah" reminisced the rise and fall, and rise again Drew McIntyre - the very man touted by Vince McMahon to one day lead the WWE into the future. But in "the Scottish Terminator's" absence - who would be the man to truly lead WWE? Seth "Freaking" Rollins! The RAW Tag Team Champions Theory and Murphy stood behind and nodded, as the trio took a slow walk down the rampway. Speaking about the pause he took in order to find who he was deep down, he was glad that of all the guys in the back, Drew was the one to hold onto the mantle for him - but now was time for him to take it back. Climbing the steel steps, Seth admitted he had been looking forward to meeting him for a while. The prophecy foretold it, how the Scotsman would fall so that "the Monday Night Messiah" could rise! Looking behind him at Theory and Murphy, the champs showed continued to show their support. Rollins said the champ could believe whatever he wanted to - but when he damned the ideologies of his biggest loyalists: that was where he drew the line.

Seth Rollins growled this wasn't a game to him like it was to Drew McIntyre. The Church was everything to he and the future of 'Monday Night Rawlins!' The WWE World Champion had heard enough, telling "the Monday Night Messiah" he hadn't come here to yap - he came here to get even. And while he wasn't feeling what Seth was trying to sell him before: now, he at least wanted to cave his head in, so long as it meant he shut his trap! Voicing his disappointment, yet lack of surprise in Theory for allowing himself be brainwashed by "the Self-Fulfilling Prophecy's" nonsense, Drew proposed they come on down and try to replicate last week! Rollins turned back to ask "A-Town Austin" and "the Juggernaut" for their thoughts, and soon the trio would circle the ringside area like sharks. Out to corner the champ, Drew tried to fight all three men when his SummerSlam opponent ambushed him from behind. Three-on-one, the trio looked to dominate - but out to his aid came Ricochet and Cedric Alexander!

"The Future of Flight" and "Lumbar Legacy" hit the ring to come to the WWE World Champion's aid - immediately taking out the legs from under Theory and Murphy. Stereo superkicks rocked both the RAW Tag Team Champions, as Drew McIntyre responded with a Glasgow Kiss for Seth Rollins! "The Monday Night Messiah" scrambled from the ring, allowing "A-Town Austin" to wind up the recipient of the Recoil from Ricochet - directly into the Lumbar Check from Cedric. Alexander and Ricochet stood side-by-side with "the Scottish Terminator", who picked up the microphone. Asking Seth and the Church if they were done, the champ declared they weren't. Calling the three of them out to a match tonight, McIntyre dropped the mic and told them he wasn't waiting six days to whoop Seth's arse! The Church were prepared to come back for more, only to be stopped by "the Messiah".

  • Tonight - WWE World Champion Drew McIntyre, Ricochet and Cedric Alexander vs Seth Rollins and RAW Tag Team Champions Theory and Murphy
︾︾︾
Scrap Iron Won't Stand for This

Bobby Lashley continued to storm vengefully through the halls of the WWE Performance Center, this time bumping shoulders with WWE producer Adam Pearce. The retired competitor asked "the All Mighty" what his problem was, bringing Bobby to ask what he said to him. Pearce refused to back down, repeating what he said. In a burst of rage, the Money in the Bank holiday proceeded to grab him by the collar and shove him into the wall! Adam demanded Bob let him go, or he'd be sorry. Lashley interrogated him as to the whereabouts of Randy Orton, believing he knew exactly where "the Viper" was lurking. While Pearce refused to tell him a thing, Lashley reasoned the diabolical things Orton had done: he took out Edge indefinitely, he incapacitated Christian into a hospital bed; but most importantly of all, he RKO'd his wife! Lashley screamed about Lana being forced to be bedbound thanks to him, though Pearce told him he knew nothing about "the Apex Predator".

"The All Mighty" begrudgingly let Adam Pearce go, but warned him that if he found out he was lying about this: he was a dead man walking! Bobby Lashley stomped away angrily, but the WWE producer seethed with rage himself. Irritated by the way in which he'd been treated by Lashley, Pearce whipped out his phone and dialled a number. Gritting his teeth and refusing to be made a fool of, Adam claimed he wouldn't stand for this for a second! Lashley's attitude was sure to have consequences on Pearce's watch.

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The Street Profits were in their dressing room, as Montez Ford was stuck on a loop reviewing footage of their recent failure to recapture the RAW Tag Team Championship from Theory and Murphy. Tez muttered regret over his actions in preventing the Church's victory, when Angelo Dawkins entered the frame to assure his partner it wasn't on him. Simply put, they weren't cut out for the victory that night. Ang reminded Tez that they'd been down before, and they'd been champs before. Their day would come again soon! Ford nodded, joking about how greasy and nasty the head of Theory felt that night two weeks ago! Dawkins and Ford bashed their solo cups together in laughter, when in came Los Lotharios. Angel Garza and Humberto Carrillo quizzed "the Frat Boys" if they were still whining about their losses. "La Estrella" recommended "los pollos amarillos" cut their losses and get to the back of the line. "El Amante" was repulsed by the sight of them, bringing Tez to his feet.

Angelo Dawkins held his partner back, as Montez Ford made a joke about how Angel Garza struck out with Charly Caruso not once, not twice - but three times! This drove "El Amante" crazy, and saw Humberto Carrillo stand between he and the Street Profits. Los Lotharios issued a challenge to "the Frat Boys" tonight, where they would pluck them of all their feathers. Tez and Ang joked Andrade's lapdogs had spent too many late nights at the bottom of a tequila bottle. Lucky for the La Invasíon members, they wanted the smoke and were game for the smoke tonight.

  • Tonight - Los Lotharios vs The Street Profits
︾︾︾

Nobody Tougher

Inside the WWE Performance Center, the ever-dominant WWE 24/7 Champion Samoa Joe stood untouched in the center of the ring. With a microphone in hand, "the Samoan Submission Machine" talked about how he had to come out here week after week and beat it into the WWE Universe's thick skulls: there was nobody tougher than he was. Joe spoke about the title over his shoulder meaning absolutely nothing a couple of months ago - but now everybody wanted it more than ever. Why? Because everybody wanted "the Coquita Destroyer" - and everybody was looking to get destroyed. Joe reminded the people how he took "the World's Largest Athlete" and choked him out with the Coquina Clutch last week, and made the WWE Legend into a laughing stock: and nobody was laughing louder than him! Joe continued to run his mouth, claiming to be indestructible - when out came Zack Ryder. With a new look, complete with a full beard, "the Long Island Iced Z" had much to prove, as he came to the ring with a referee in tow!

3) Samoa Joe (c) def. Zack Ryder to retain the WWE 24/7 Championship (3:19)
- After defeating Big Show last week Samoa Joe felt indestructible, but tonight was presented with an impromptu challenge from an unlikely contender. "The Long Island Iced Z" was back with a new look, more chiseled than ever before. The Broski was coming for a big win, immediately dodging a lock-up from the WWE 24/7 Champion and landing the Rough Ryder in the first move of the match! The WWE Universe were on the edge of their seats, but Joe powered out in the nick of time! In this impromptu title defense, Joe would receive a series of running forearm smashes in the corner - when "the Samoan Submission Machine" would cut him off with the Uranage! From there it was all Joe, who delivered a powerbomb pin transitioning into the high-angle Boston crab! Ryder refused to give in, making the ropes and landing a missile dropkick. The Broski Boot connected, but as Zack went to the second rope for the El-Bro Drop, Joe caught him with the Coquina Clutch - swiftly forcing him into submission!

You Will Respect Me
Samoa Joe was slow to relinquish the Coquina Clutch after the bell to boos from the WWE Universe, but would finally drop the hold to snatch his WWE 24/7 Championship from the referee. Placing it over his shoulder once again, this reign of terror looked to continue as he left the ring - to be jumped by Akira Tozawa! In a black gi, Tozawa dared to try Joe's luck - just to be thrown overhead with a brutal snapmare. Applying the Coquina Clutch on the Japanese Superstar on the floor, Joe told the booing people they would all respect him. All of a sudden, R-Truth came diving off the apron with a big splash! He would get a near fall, when Joe planted the rapper with a Uranage on the edge of the ring. The champ took off without a second thought, leaving "the Truth" and Tozawa to get into a shoving contest at ringside - joined in by an irate Ryder.

︾︾︾

Natalya and Sarah Logan walked and talked down the corridor, with the Women's Tag Team Turmoil match right around the corner. With participants from Monday Night RAW and Friday Night SmackDown, the winners would be named the next challengers to Bayley and Sasha Banks' WWE Women's Tag Team Championships. Meanwhile, in the background Bobby Lashley was spotted in the background aggressively hurling a backstage assistant across the hall! "The All Mighty" was a force to be reckoned with, dedicated to committing all-out assault in his search for Randy Orton!

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An advertisement aired, promoting WWE SummerSlam. It was "the Biggest Party of the Summer", and this year was no exception, with the most unorthodox match in WWE history. With the WWE Universal Championship at stake, two warriors would meet in a confrontation exceeding this reality. Brother Nero would meet The Fiend when "the Death-Defying Daredevil" met "the New Face of Fear" in Interdimensional Warfare - "You'll Never See It Coming!" It would be live this Sunday - live on the award-winning WWE Network.

Voice of Reason
The rampage of Bobby Lashley continued in the backstage area, where he found himself surrounded by officials, producers and backstage assistants. "The All Mighty" argued this had nothing to do with any of them, when into frame came a frantic MVP. Lashley's right-hand man tried to talk sense to his ally, but Bobby reminded again and again how Randy Orton had made his life hell, and he couldn't get away with this! While MVP reasoned the I Quit match at SummerSlam was his chance, Shelton Benjamin came into frame to bark orders at Lashley. Surprisingly managing to silence Bob, "the Gold Standard" told him enough was enough! A tense confrontation between the two saw Lashley question what the veteran was going to do about it, reminding him of how he hadn't done a damn thing for him in years. Benjamin questioned what happened to the respectful young stud he once knew. Lashley told him he's still here - but "the Viper" had to pay. Benjamin knew, when Lashley told Shelton he had no problem with him: he respected Shelton.

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4a) Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross def. Mickie James and Lacey Evans in a Women's Cross Brand Number One Contender's Tag Team Turmoil match (3:34)
- Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross had had their issues, but were willing put them aside with the goal of getting even with Mickie James and Lacey Evans, and re-entering the chase to the WWE Women's Tag Team Championships. Mickie and Lacey were confident early, as Bliss and Cross hit the ring. Dropkicks gave Alexa and Nikki the lead, as "the Twisted Sister" catapulted "the Sassy Southern Belle" into the Goddess Right! James ran distraction allowing Evans to connect with a swinging neckbreaker into a rolling splash from Lacey. Holding her in position for the Thesz press from the second rope, the newest team on the block cornered Nikki until the two sent her into the ropes - for Cross to connect with a diving cross body! "The Goddess" watched as Nikki ran through both women alone with clotheslines. Mickie tried entering illegally with the Mickie-DT, only to be taken out by Bliss. Nikki meanwhile reversed the Lady Lace Up into a sunset flip to advance in Women's Tag Team Turmoil!

Lacey Evans was distraught by her early elimination, and immediately ambushed a celebratory Nikki Cross from behind. Mickie James initially looked to join in, when Alexa Bliss hit the ring and took her former mentor down with a clothesline. Helping her BFF to her feet, Nikki was on fire as she clotheslined Evans from the ring before she and "the Goddess" delivered a back body drop sending Mickie over the top rope! As Lacey and Mickie argued with the victors from the rampway, the music of the Iiconics rang out to boos over the WWE Performance Center. Billie Kay and Peyton Royce were up next, also looking to re-enter the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship hunt.

4b) Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross def. The Iiconics in a Women's Cross Brand Number One Contender's Tag Team Turmoil match (5:25) [THROUGH THE BREAK]
- The former WWE Women's Tag Team Champions from Friday Night SmackDown continued to battle their way through this Cross Brand Women's Tag Team Turmoil match, as Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross immediately brought the fight to Charlotte Flair's associates the Iiconics. Alexa almost scored an immediate victory with the Infinite Roll, and a somersault neckbreaker would garner a near fall over Peyton Royce when Billie Kay intruded. "The Twisted Sister" was forced to watch as Alexa fell victim to the Iiconic Combo, putting "the Iiconic Duo" in the driver's seat.
- Alexa Bliss tried to battle out of the Iiconics' corner of the ring, only to be whipped repeatedly back into the turnbuckle pads. Peyton Royce applied the Royce Stretch hanging from the ropes, allowing Billie Kay to deliver the Eat Defeat for a near fall. "The Goddess" was mocked by the Charlotte Flair-strutting Iiconics, until the Sick Knee from Sidney backfired! Alexa sent Peyton into Billie's knee, and once again came Nikki Cross storming into the ring. Determined again to prove she was no weak link, a northern lights suplex on Kay saw Royce break it up. Bliss again came in, just to have Kay drive her into the mat with the Fatale Destruction. Cross responded with a Samoan driver, before catching Royce with the Whiplash for the win!

On a roll after a recent slump, Nikki Cross caught her breath after the match when Billie Kay came from behind! Much like Mickie James and Lacey Evans, the Iiconics looked to get even with the victors when Alexa Bliss came in to even the odds. The Goddess Right knocked Peyton Royce through a loop, when the Shades of Kay from Billie Kay knocked her down! The Iiconics began to make their leave, when out came the imposing strange bedfellows of Shayna Baszler and Nia Jax. Nikki and Alexa recovered in the ring in disbelief, as they would have to continue tired and hurting.

4c) Shayna Baszler and Nia Jax def. Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross in a Women's Cross Brand Number One Contender's Tag Team Turmoil match (4:17)
- Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross had just endured Lacey Evans and Mickie James, as well as the Iiconics. Now, wounded after a post-match beating from Billie Kay and Peyton Royce, they were forced to do battle with the fresh Shayna Baszler and Nia Jax! "The Queen of Spades" and "the Irresistible Force" did not like one another, but were out to win, as Nikki and Alexa immediately targeted Nia. Shayna responded with a series of kicks to the Scot, before beginning to pummel Alexa. "The Goddess" outwitted her with a hair-pull backbreaker, before flying off the apron with an attempt cannonball - just to be caught by "the Giantess!" Hurled back inside, Bliss tagged Nikki in who sprung off the top rope with a crossbody, but Baszler rolled through into a gutwrench suplex! Two-on-one, Nikki was in danger when Cross escaped the Annihilator and threw all of her might at Nia. Shayna came from behind with the Yokosuka cutter, and Jax picked up a dominant victory with the leg drop!

Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler had steamrolled Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross, who had just endured two matches prior in this Women's Turmoil series! The strange bedfellows glared at one another as "the Goddess" helped "the Twisted Sister" from the ring. Nia and Shayna stared one another down and had words, with both women continuing to appear on different pages. No matter their dominance they still had their differences - when all of a sudden, out came two women from the NXT Brand: Shotzi and Tegan Nox!

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Called for Back Up
At the announce table, Tom Phillips and Byron Saxton received word over the headset from the producer that after the devastation caused by Bobby Lashley here tonight, that WWE's Executive Vice President of Global Talent Strategy & Development Triple H was on his way to the WWE Performance Center!

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4d) Shayna Baszler and Nia Jax def. Shotzi and Tegan Nox in a Women's Cross Brand Number One Contender's Tag Team Turmoil match (5:56) [THROUGH THE BREAK]
- The WWE Universe knew this match was a cross brand invitational, but few expected to witness the Monday Night RAW debuts of two firecrackers from "the Black and Gold Brand" - Shotzi and Tegan Nox! Reunited with an old foe in "the Queen of Spades", Shotzi and Nox fought fire with speed with low dropkicks to take Shayna Baszler down. It went followed by stereo enzuigiris! On a roll, the NXT Superstars tried their luck with Nia Jax - who hoisted "the Welsh Valley Wonder" over her shoulders effortlessly, only to crumble from a bicycle kick from "the Ballsy Badass!" A roundhouse kick followed, which led to an inverted cannonball in the corner! "The Giantess" was out of her element as Nox followed using one of her own. The RAW Superstars retreated from the ring, where the two appeared to come unraveled - having words. Baszler and Jax needed to get their act together!
- Tegan Nox continued to get the better of Shayna Baszler, making a blind tag to Shotzi before dropping "the Queen of Spades" with a drop toe hold. "The Ballsy Badass" came in with a front dropkick, but as she looked for the Question Mark Kick, Baszler responded with an abrupt knee strike! A series of soccer kicks saw Baszler have her way with "the Green-Headed Gremlin", when a spinebuster saw Nia Jax tag herself in. "The Irresistible Force" got into another shouting match with her partner, buying Shotzi valuable time to tag in Nox! Striking with a dropkick which sent Jax into Baszler, the Shiniest Wizard knocked her down. Tegan covered, but Baszler kicked her in the ribcage. The MMA fighter attempted the gutwrench suplex, but Tegan landed on her feet and delivered a Tiger suplex! Nox soon ascended to the top rope and scored the Tegan-Go-Round - only to be caught with a single-legged Powerbomb from Nia! Baszler tagged herself in to Nia's chagrin, and the Kirifuda Clutch forced Tegan to tap.

Shayna Baszler grinned through her black mouthguard, scoring another victory for herself and Nia Jax. "The Giantess" was discontent with how "the Queen of Spades" conducted herself, immediately shoving her upon entry and getting into another argument with her. "The Submission Magician" warned "the Irresistible Force" not to get in her way, but before fists could fly - out came the Riott Squad. Ruby Riott and Liv Morgan bravely approached the ring, as the Women's Tag Team Turmoil match continued!

4e) The Riott Squad def. Shayna Baszler and Nia Jax in a Women's Cross Brand Number One Contender's Tag Team Turmoil match (3:22)
- "The Submission Magician" and "the Giantess" had been on a brutal run thus far, but still struggled to coexist after weeks of pent-up frustrations. Ruby Riott and Liv Morgan had the unenvious duty of combating them, and though successful early with a Ruby-Canrana sending Shayna Baszler to the floor, Liv would go caught by the Bulldozer from Nia Jax! "The Irresistible Force" toyed with a delayed vertical suplex to Morgan, when Liv landed the Jersey Codebreaker! To one knee went Jax, and Ruby got the tag. Dropkicks stunned Nia, and "the Runaway" took pleasure in dishing up the Deadly Night. Jax tried to battle back, when once again Shayna tagged herself in. Baszler ran Ruby down with a roundhouse kick, when Jax declared she'd had enough: dropping Baszler with the Annihilator! Nia proceeded to leave on her own, refusing to put up any longer with "the Queen of Spades". Left high and dry, Shayna slowly recovered and questioned her decision - just for the Riott Kick to segue into the ObLIVion!

In a massive upset, the Riott Squad were able to come out victorious against Shayna Baszler, as her supposed partner Nia Jax watched with a grimace from the top of the rampway. Turning her back on "the Queen of Spades", it left Liv Morgan and Ruby Riott to hug it out and celebrate. Yet, there remained one last obstacle in their way: opponents the two knew incredibly well, in Sarah Logan and Natalya! Who would be named number one contender's to Bayley and Sasha Banks' WWE Women's Tag Team Championship?

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A graphic aired, promoting tonight's edition of RAW Talk, immediately following Monday Night RAW. Hosted by Charly Caruso and Byron Saxton, tonight's special guests included Seth Rollins; the two victors of tonight's Women's Cross-Brand Number One Contender's Tag Team Turmoil match, and Riddick Moss. It all went down at 11:05 PM, exclusively on the WWE Network.

4f) The Riott Squad def. Sarah Logan and Natalya to win the Women's Cross Brand Number One Contender's Tag Team Turmoil match (6:40) [THROUGH THE BREAK]
- With a future opportunity at Bayley and Sasha Banks' WWE Women's Tag Team Championships at stake, the final phase of this Cross Brand Women's Tag Team Turmoil match returned with Ruby Riott being slapped around by Natalya. A Russian legsweep saw Nattie drag her around by the hair, having words with her former protégé Liv Morgan. Ruby fired back with the STO, when the diving senton missed! Sarah Logan came in to put the boots to her former teammate, when a teardrop suplex showed her power. Logan ran her mouth too much and would pay the price - as Ruby escaped a fisherman suplex into an inside cradle - into a flatliner! Liv came in with a series of clotheslines to both opponents, followed by a handspring rolling spinning headscissors. It came down to mentor and protégé, as Nattie spinebustered into position for the Sharpshooter - just for Liv to kick her off. With the Matrix evasion, Liv followed Natalya to the ropes for ObLIVion to connect - covering to pick up a landmark win!

The dream had come true for Liv Morgan, who had overcome much adversity in her short career before finally proving her worth tonight, by coming out on top of the Cross-Brand Women's Tag Team Turmoil match! Ruby Riott joined her side and hugged her tight, bringing her to her feet. Though they had their issues in the past, the Riott Squad were back together - Liv and Ruby celebrating with their hands raised at long last. Sarah Logan scowled from the rampway, dissatisfied with being ousted by her former sisters in the trio. With a date in the future with Bayley and Sasha Banks, the Riott Squad would receive a shot at the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship.

  • TBA - WWE Women's Tag Team Championship - Sasha Banks and SmackDown Women's Champion Bayley (c) vs The Riott Squad
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Outside of the WWE Performance Center, a black limousine arrived in the parking lot. Pulling in on a warm summer's evening, who would step out but none other than the Executive Vice President of Global Talent Strategy & Development, Triple H! In a suit with a serious expression on his face, "the Game" was greeted by a cordial Adam Pearce. HHH wasn't happy to have been called to Monday Night RAW when he was on vacation, while the producer thanked him for attending. HHH said he wanted this over and done with quickly, soon pacing towards the arena. What would happen when "the Cerebral Assassin" dealt with Bobby Lashley?

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The Church Invasion
With a six-man tag team match set up for later tonight, Seth Rollins hoped to regain his composure and prepare mentally for the challenge ahead. With he and his Church set to battle the WWE World Champion Drew McIntyre, Ricochet and Cedric Alexander, "the Monday Night Messiah" would close his eyes and briefly break out into silent prayer. In walked Andrade, surprising him. "El Capo" grinned at Seth as he questioned what he was doing. Seth said he'd like to know the same thing: why Andrade was in his dressing room! Things seemed tense betwen the heads of two of Monday Night RAW's most dominant factions, as Andrade noted Seth's big opportunity at "the Scottish Terminator" this Sunday at SummerSlam. Seth nodded, telling Andrade there would be a new WWE World Champion. The leader of La Invasíon wished him luck, before noting he had some great advice for Seth on how to beat Drew - having done it before. Seth joked, claiming he wouldn't need it.

Face-to-face, eye-to-eye, the two soon erupted into laughter and shook hands. Andrade joked that he couldn't be upset with Seth Rollins: after all, they shared a lot in common! The head of the Church agreed, noting how La Invasíon was taking Monday Night RAW by fire. The two laughed, when "the Monday Night Messiah" assured "El Capo" that soon, 'Monday Night Rawlins' would be all theirs, and they would control this Brand with an iron fist - with Drew beaten, and Rey Mysterio long gone. Andrade told Seth he looked forward to it, before wishing him luck tonight - not that he'd need it! Seth was left alone to cackle, but as he watched him leave, his smile would eventually fade.

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The Strong and The Weak
With Triple H present at the WWE Performance Center, Bobby Lashley surprised everybody by making his unscheduled appearance in the arena! Despite being spoken sense by his advisor MVP and longtime colleague Shelton Benjamin, "the All Mighty" wasted no time in bounding down to the ring and unbuttoning his shirt! Pacing back and forth, Lashley snatched the microphone from ring announcer Mike Rome, before halting him to question what he had to say to him. Bob decided to release Mike from his clutches, but spoke about how he knew for a fact he wasn't making any friends around here. As it happened, however, he wasn't getting anywhere fast either! Lashley knew the WWE Universe knew why he was here, and there was a whole trainer's office full of WWEPC staff to explain why. With the I Quit match coming up at SummerSlam, he didn't fancy waiting until Sunday to get his hands on the rat-bastard Randy Orton. He knew full well "the Viper" was here - and he wanted him now!

Bobby Lashley continued, reminding everybody of the fun and games Randy Orton had played to make it to where they are today. Edge was out; Christian was out; and most importantly, the reason Lashley wanted "the Viper" so badly, was because his wife Lana was out. Again barking for his antagonist to show himself, he was instead met by Triple H! The Executive Vice President of Global Talent Strategy & Development had arrived, and he was in a foul mood himself. Immediately stomping down to the ring, he threw down his suit blazer and confronted "the All Mighty" daringly in the ring! There, the two hulking Superstars went face-to-face, with HHH telling Bobby he knew exactly why he was out here right now. There was nobody who wanted to watch him thrive than "the Game", but he knew damn well that what he was doing wasn't right. Triple H lectured Bobby for attacking the same innocent frontline members of staff who helped make Bobby Lashley "the All Mighty" he was today.

People like Mike Rome, Adam Pearce, referees and backstage assistants hadn't done a damn thing to get manhandled by the likes of Bobby Lashley. They weren't WWE Superstars - he had let his anger get the best of him. Bob responded knowing he shouldn't have come here. He should have known Triple H would have his pet student's back. Lashley asked what about Randy Orton's attacks on innocent people, to which HHH claimed Randy would have a time and a place where he would be fined and punished - just like Bobby! Incensed, Bob pushed the Executive Vice President, prompting him to shove back and challenge him to try it. If he did, there sure as hell would be no I Quit match on Sunday! Bobby scowled, resting his forehead against "the Game's", but seemed to hear him out. That is, until the voice of Randy Orton echoed throughout the WWE Performance Center! From a curtained area backstage, "the Viper" took pity on Lashley for finally losing the plot. He finally lost his temper, and it was going to cost him big!

"The Viper" found amusement in how he was managing to break a big bad tough guy like Bobby Lashley so easily - but at the end of the day, it was because he was weak. "The All Mighty" might be this brawny bodybuilder who was a four-time All-American. He may have been an ex-military sergeant; a mixed martial-artist; a World Champion in all these different companies. Yet where it mattered, and what it all boiled down to was the fact that behind all of his muscle, Bobby Lashley was weak. While he was glad to see Triple H sticking his head between them, he too wished it had been under better circumstances. After all, as the Executive Vice President of Global Talent Strategy & Development, he ought to have warned Bob not to take everything he spoke so personally. Randy smirked, claiming it would be his end this Sunday at SummerSlam. His greatest strength would be his greatest downfall when he uttered the two words every man loathed to say: "I Quit".

Bobby Lashley finally had enough, pacing back and forth. "The All Mighty" argued with Triple H, tasked with keeping him at bay. Though he screamed that Randy Orton had RKO'd his wife, Triple H told him how Orton had done the same to his wife! Bob shut up and bowed his head, but just when everybody thought his meltdown was over, Lashley rolled out of the ring and rushed around it! Racing to the backstage area, HHH followed in hot pursuit! Cameras caught up to the action backstage, where Randy Orton was standing waiting - meeting Lashley with right hands. Both went back and forth as a crew of officials tried to get between them. Lashley would tackle Orton to the ground and attempt to ground and pound him, though Triple H would drag him away in the nick of time! It was chaos backstage at the WWE Performance Center, as a conniving "Viper" spat disrespectfully in the face of Lashley. Orton split, bringing Lashley to scream as he was escorted from the building - all the while MVP stood closeby to try and calm his man.

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Footage aired from moments ago, recapping the scenes in the ring and backstage involving Bobby Lashley, Triple H and Randy Orton. Six days from SummerSlam, "the All Mighty" was pushed too far once again by "the Viper", and ahead of their I Quit match, the two finally came to blows backstage. Tom Phillips and Byron Saxton discussed the fiasco further, revealing that Triple H and a crew of security officials had finally managed to escort Bobby Lashley and MVP from the WWE Performance Center. They pondered what this might mean for "the Apex Predator" this Sunday night.

5) Charlotte Flair def. Bianca Belair (8:39) [THROUGH THE BREAK]
- With SummerSlam right around the corner, "the Queen" had been issued a challenge by a familiar foe in Bianca Belair. With history that began this past winter with Charlotte Flair stealing Bianca's thunder in pursuing the NXT Women's Championship, and continued with Bianca being robbed of title victory in May, these two rivals looked to lock horns in what had potential to be a big win for "the EST". But, before the bell saw the RAW Women's Champion Asuka make her big arrival. Joining the broadcast team for commentary, "the Empress of Tomorrow" smiled Charlotte's way as she claimed she was out here to scout.
- With Asuka's arrival, Bianca Belair got a head start in her attack of "the Queen". With a back elbow off the ropes from a dropdown and a leapfrog, Belair would pursue Charlotte Flair as she exited the ring. Sending her right back inside, "the EST" would dodge the Queen's Boot and connect with a stalling military press which saw Flair sent across the ring! Belair swaggered, twirling her braid, when Flair fired back with a series of chops. Bianca would dodge one and connect with a single-legged dropkick before connecting with not one suplex - but two! Flair was having a tough time getting anything going, until an attempt at the Shining Star Press saw Flair get her knees up, and a backpack stunner took her down! Flair met eyes with the RAW Women's Champion sat at commentary, perhaps a preview of things to come at SummerSlam.
- Bianca Belair found her legs intertwined in the ring post, as Charlotte Flair struggled but eventually managed to slap "the EST's" limbs against it. During the break she had worked the legs tremendously, though as she teased the Figure-4 Leglock around the post, Belair dragged "the Queen" into it face first! With a shoulder block and a spinebuster, Bianca got back into the fight until Flair caught her inbound with an exploder suplex! Flair attempted the Figure-8, but Belair managed to tag her with a hair whip. A spear scored a near fall, when she set up for the Glam Slam. Flair managed to break through with an attempt at the Boston crab - but Belair sent her flying! With the K.O.D. in sight, Flair raked the eyes to land on her feet - when the Charlotte's Web allowed her to get a roll-up victory, slyly getting past Bianca!

Remember Your Word
Asuka watched stone-faced from the announce table, as Charlotte Flair grinned knowingly in the ring. Bianca Belair had been only narrowly defeated by "the Queen", who seemed confident about her chances of leaving SummerSlam with the RAW Women's Championship. As "the EST" rolled from the ring clutching at her leg, "the Empress of Tomorrow" decided to join her opponent come Sunday in the ring. Standing across the ring from one another, Asuka would raise the title high, and the twelve-time champion's eyes would follow. Asuka took her leave, but with her eyes still met with Charlotte's, her back was turned - from out of nowhere came Nia Jax with a heavy right hand! Asuka tried to engage with "the Irresistible Force", who took her down hard on the rampway with the Bulldozer - soon delivering the leg drop! Crushed beneath her weight, "the Giantess" stared at Charlotte, telling her to remember her word. Nia wanted her own shot at the title, and was using this bizarre alliance to get it!

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Theory laughed at a meme on his iPhone, but when he showed Murphy, he was less than enthused. "The Juggernaut" slapped "A-Town Austin" across the back of his head, believing the Church to be at war with Drew McIntyre and his cynical friends Ricochet and Cedric Alexander. He believed it required Theory's concentration. Theory scoffed, believing the Aussie had to lighten up. In walked Seth Rollins, ranting about how Ricochet and Cedric got in his way - but they would soon make believers out of them. It would happen sooner or later, as SummerSlam would see "The Monday Night Messiah" leave as WWE World Champion, and this show would be 'Monday Night Rawlins' once more! Acknowledging the difficulties the two were having, he laid down the law not caring what they did, so long as it didn't get in the way of their chief concern: devotion to "the Self-Fulfilling Prophecy". Seth claimed he made this Church for his Disciples, and if they weren't here to follow his vision, they knew where the door was.

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An advertisement aired, promoting 'SummerSlam's Hottest Moments' - a special presentation reviewing some of the greatest moments in the history of "the Biggest Party of the Summer". It would premiere on FOX this Sunday at 3PM ET.

Tom Phillips and Byron Saxton discussed SummerSlam coming up this Sunday night on the WWE Network, talking about what this year's "Biggest Party of the Summer" had in store for the WWE Universe. Apparently "You'll Never See It Coming", as this year's blockbuster would see the debut of the WWE ThunderDome - a all-new, reimagined, state-of-the-art virtual experience that everybody would love!

  • The WWE ThunderDome debuts
  • WWE World Championship - Drew McIntyre (c) vs Seth Rollins
  • WWE Universal Championship - Interdimensional Warfare - The Fiend (c) vs Brother Nero
  • I Quit match - Randy Orton vs Bobby Lashley
  • SmackDown Women's Championship - Bayley (c) vs Mandy Rose
  • Rey Mysterio vs Andrade - Rey Mysterio's career is on the line
  • WWE United States Championship - Kevin Owens (c) vs AJ Styles
  • RAW Women's Championship - Asuka (c) vs Charlotte Flair
︾︾︾

6) Los Lotharios def. The Street Profits (3:52)

- The Street Profits did not take kindly to the snide remarks made by Los Lotharios earlier tonight. Looking to come back from their devastating loss to Theory and Murphy several weeks ago, Angelo Dawkins came in hot with a shoulder block, pouncing Humberto Carrillo into the corner! Angel Garza got in several right hands, only to be cornered by Montez Ford with a flying clothesline. The NBA Slam connected early, and Tez landed the assisted shiranui for a near fall. The La Invasíon members shot back with an unspotted low blow to Ang, allowing "La Estrella" to capitalize". The cousins teamed up with a double handspring Japanese armdrag, bringing "El Amante" to gloat - immediately opening himself up for a right hand! Tez got the tag and took care of Garza with a back suplex, before kipping up! Ford and Carrillo exchanged strikes, when in came Dawkins illegally. With the referee's back turned, Angel hit Montez with the loaded roses! Out cold, Angel cornered Dawkins, allowing Carrillo to steal the win.

"The Frat Boys" had been cheated out of victory, all thanks to the loaded bouquet of roses concealed on the person of Angel Garza. "El Amante" hid the evidence beneath the ring before slipping inside and celebrating with his partner. Humberto Carrillo rolled out of the ring to safety to escape an aggravated Angelo Dawkins, who came to check on Montez Ford. Contesting the decision of the referee, there was no way the Street Profits were going to allow Los Lotharios to get away with this.

︾︾︾

The WWE World Champion Drew McIntyre led Ricochet and Cedric Alexander down the hallway from his dressing room. All smiling with their heads held high, the trio made their way towards the arena poised for the battle ahead. Up next, "the Scottish Terminator" had the chance to get an early shot in on his SummerSlam opponent Seth Rollins; as well as the Disciples of the Church who had attacked him time and time again. Who would prevail headed into Sunday?

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An advertisement aired, promoting the debut of the WWE ThunderDome. This Sunday would mark thirty-two years of SummerSlam, but "the Biggest Party of the Summer" would be marked this year with the arrival of an all-new state-of-the-art virtual experience! For the first time ever, the WWE Universe would have the opportunity to attend their favorite live televised spectacles electronically, whether on Monday Night RAW and Friday Night SmackDown. All users had to do was sign up online for free at WWEThunderDome.com. Ahead of SummerSlam, a rehearsal would take place on Sunday at noon, where the SummerSlam Press Conference would be broadcast live and exclusively to viewers in attendance!

7) WWE World Champion Drew McIntyre, Ricochet and Cedric Alexander def. Seth Rollins and RAW Tag Team Champions Theory and Murphy (8:20) [THROUGH THE BREAK]
- "The Monday Night Messiah" seemed invested in ensuring that he had an advantage over the WWE World Champion headed into their match at SummerSlam this Sunday. The attack from the Church last week, as well as earlier tonight told the tale - but it backfired, thanks to Ricochet and Cedric Alexander. Drew McIntyre led "the One and Only" and "Lumbar Legacy" to the ring for battle, with a six-man brawl kicking things off. Ricochet and Alexander hotly went to battle with the RAW Tag Team Champions, while "the Scottish Terminator" engaged in battle with his rival. Rollins resorted to raking the eyes to remove the champ from the scenario, and with a three-on-one advantage Alexander's Neutralyser went caught by a double superkick from Theory and Murphy! The Disciples set the Head of the Church up for the Sling Blade, when Ricochet took on all three members of the Church. Ricochet managed to send them from the ring with his agility, and he and Cedric soared with stereo topé con hilos to the floor!
- Ricochet dropped a standing Spanish fly for Theory, when Murphy snuck in using a bicycle knee strike, planting him with a brainbuster! Seth Rollins arrived, gloating in the face of Drew McIntyre. Provoking him, Seth claimed the blood was on his hands! It allowed "the Future of Flight" time to escape the falcon arrow, planting "the Monday Night Messiah" with a backflip kick! A standing shooting star press led to the WWE World Champion entering, coming into contact with "the Self-Fulfilling Prophecy". SummerSlam had come early, as Seth fought the inverted Alabama slam and struck with a super kick. Seth tried the Buckle Bomb, but Drew struck with the Glasgow Kiss! Theory delivered the rolling blockbuster to the champ, when Cedric came in with the Michinoku driver. Murphy took him down with rapidfire kicks, when McIntyre wiped him out with the Claymore Kick! Drew guided Cedric to hit the Lumbar Check, and Ricochet followed with the Shooting Star Press to get the win - while Seth watched it happened!

A decisive victory saw the WWE World Champion reign supreme over the Church's Disciples. Seth Rollins watched with a solemn expression on his face at ringside, miffed at being bested by the combined forces of Drew McIntyre, Ricochet and Cedric Alexander. "The Future of Flight" and "Lumbar Legacy" stood tall and joined "the Scottish Terminator" on the second ropes of the ring, as Drew asked "the Self-Fulfilling Prophecy" how he liked his prophecy now! Who would leave SummerSlam with the gold and the power? We would find out this Sunday!

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RAW Talk #22 – August 17, 2020
- Charly Caruso and Byron Saxton welcomed us to RAW Talk in the center of the ring, where they took the time to discuss the travesty that happened last week when Christian fell victim to Randy Orton's assault during the return of 'the Peep Show'. They hoped Christian would be back soon, but until then, Byron would be filling in as Charly's co-host.
- Seth Rollins joined the show, still catching his breath following the six-man tag team main event of Monday Night RAW. "The Monday Night Messiah" sat alone alongside the co-hosts, talking about how Drew McIntyre might have won the battle tonight, but their war was only getting started. Seth claimed there was no way of getting away from it, because one way or another, the prophecy was coming and it was going to happen. Rollins claimed the WWE World Championship would be coming home, and that 'Monday Night Rawlins' would be much better for it. McIntyre had become complacent with his spot, but it was time for the Head of the Church to take back his spot. While Drew could believe what he wanted to believe, Seth remained insistent and self-assured that SummerSlam would be his night, because this show needed him more than it would ever need a false idol like the so-called "Chosen One". Rollins left questions about the competency of his Disciples unanswered, claiming they would be dealt with in due time.
- Riddick Moss joined 'RAW Talk', covered in ice packs and nursing a foul headache. Irritated by the treatment which befell him tonight, he blamed it all on Heath Slater's cowardice. He knew full well that "the One Man Rock Band" was here tonight, yet Heath was hiding behind contemporaries like "the Nigerian Nightmare" Omos - who, Riddick claimed, was only victorious because he wasn't prepared for him. Moss believed he stood a better chance of beating the newest addition to Monday Night RAW with more time to prepare, but stated to Slater - wherever the unemployed piece of cr*p was hdiing - they would have their day, and Riddick would be personally responsible for kicking him out of the WWE for good.
- The Riott Squad were exhausted, but running on adrenaline following the gruelling Cross-Brand Women's Tag Team Turmoil match tonight. Ruby Riott and Liv Morgan fielded questions about the steps taken to get back together. There was so much love lost between the two of them from Ruby's betrayal, and for the first time publicly since their reuniting, Ruby apologized about everything. The two hugged it out and spoke about how their dreams remained unchanged: they wanted to be crowned WWE Women's Tag Team Champions. When asked about Sarah Logan, Liv claimed that she and Ruby had tried numerous times to reach out to her, but she seemed far gone. It was sad, but it was the truth. In words for Bayley and Sasha Banks, the Riott Squad declared they were out for them, and when the time and place was set, there would be new champions crowned - their dream would come true.
- As the co-hosts began to wrap things up for another edition of 'RAW Talk', out came Angel Garza to the ring. With a bouquet of roses in hand, "El Amante" pleaded with Charly Caruso to give him another shot. It would end disastrously for the La Invasíon member, as Charly told him they were too different. On an awkward note, Byron Saxton signed off for the night.

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DTP

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NXT #418 – August 19, 2020
Full Sail University in Winter Park, Florida
Sponsored by
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NXT TAKEOVER XXX: THIS SATURDAY!
"All Out Life" by Slipknot

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NXT UK #107: TakeOver Memories - August 20, 2020

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- The Undisputed Era (Bobby Fish and Kyle O'Reilly) (c) def. Moustache Mountain (Trent Seven and Tyler Bate) to retain the NXT Tag Team Championship with Total Elimination on Seven. (18:06) [NXT TAKEOVER: BROOKLYN 4 - AUG 18, 2018]
- Shayna Baszler (c) def. Nikki Cross to retain the NXT Women's Championship with the Kirifuda Clutch. (9:25) [NXT TAKEOVER: CHICAGO II - JUN 16, 2018]
- Finn Bálor (c) def. Samoa Joe with to retain the NXT Championship with the Coup de Grâce. (18:22) [NXT TAKEOVER: LONDON - DEC 16, 2015]

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Genius or Crazy?
NXT opened to the sight of the Undisputed Era arriving on the campus of Full Sail University. With the sun setting behind them, Roderick Strong, Bobby Fish and Kyle O'Reilly walked and talked about how the week of NXT TakeOver XXX had arrived! And that could only mean the reclaiming of the NXT Championship was upon them. Roddy told Bobby and Kyle he had spoken to Adam Cole earlier today, and "the Panama City Playboy" was testing himself to the core ahead of this Saturday's Iron Man match with Finn Bálor. "Hollywood" Kyle said "the Prince" was going to be ousted from power when he meets Adam's final form. The trio continued to laugh and joke about the agenda tonight, when they were confronted by not just Finn Bálor - but Keith Lee as well! The NXT North American Champion raised the point of saying they had unfinished business. The NXT Champion beside him agreed, stating unlike Adam Cole, he wasn't afraid of a little competition in his training. If anything, he considered it a tune-up!

Bobby Fish asked "the Prince" if he was feeling sane at all. The same week he was going up against Adam Cole in the best shape of his life for sixty minutes, Finn Bálor wanted to go up against the Undisputed Era? "Hollywood" Kyle O'Reilly joked Finn ought to stick to cardio. The UE laughed and high-fived, when the NXT North American Champion told the children he had his own thing going on with a malignant little troll named Ricky Starks, but he too was unafraid of a little warm up. Roderick Strong headed the UE, telling Keith Lee the two of them they were out of their minds: but if they wanted to get schooled the week of their big matches on Saturday - so be it! Roddy urged them to find a third man, but Finn believed as NXT Champion and the NXT North American Champion, they would take them out in a Handicap match tonight! Strong accepted, prompting much pushing and shoving - broken up by the arrival of officials. Was this wise for Finn and Keith, seventy-two hours from NXT TakeOver XXX?

  • Tonight - 3-on-2 Handicap match - NXT Champion Finn Bálor and NXT North American Champion Keith Lee vs The Undisputed Era
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The NXT Universe were buzzing inside the NXT Arena, chanting the letters of "the Black and Gold Brand". From remote locations, Mauro Ranallo and Beth Phoenix welcomed us to the final edition of NXT the week of NXT TakeOver XXX. Graphics would appear on-screen as the two discussed what was coming up tonight, including the Handicap match just announced; as well as an exclusive 'Prime Target' look at how the Iron Man match between Finn Bálor and Adam Cole this Saturday came to be. With the Triple Threat to come, the NXT Women's Champion Io Shirai would team with Rhea Ripley to battle Dakota Kai and Raquel González; and in a Falls Count Anywhere match, Candice LeRae and Mia Yim would go to war once again! Not to mention, Robert Stone allegedly had a huge announcement to make.

  • NXT Women's Champion Io Shirai and Rhea Ripley vs Dakota Kai and Raquel González
  • 'Prime Target' exclusive look at Finn Bálor vs Adam Cole
  • Falls Count Anywhere match - Mia Yim vs Candice LeRae
  • Timothy Thatcher vs Bronson Reed
  • Robert Stone makes a "huge" announcement
1) Imperium def. Isaiah Scott and Leon Ruff (6:26) [THROUGH THE BREAK]
- Since resurfacing in the United States, Marcel Barthel and Fabian Aichner had proven Imperium to be a dominant force to be reckoned with in "the Black and Gold Brand". Against their most challenging opponents to date however, Isaiah "Swerve" Scott teamed up with the man he had taken under his wing, Leon Ruff. "Swerve" started strong in outmaneuvering Barthel, dropping him with a back kick from the second rope. With a jumping knee strike he caught an Aichner off-guard, following up with chest kicks against the ropes! Leon entered to ward him off, only to be stunned with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. As Imperium began to corner him, Scott issued a rolling flatliner toAicher, when Ruff fired with a super kick and a jumping neckbreaker to Barthel! With Imperium sent from the ring, "Swerve" flew with a turning moonsault plancha - landing on his feet. Ruff then followed up in gutsy fashion with the spaceman somersault plancha to the floor! Isaiah and Leon hugged it out - the underdog living in the moment.
- The momentum had swayed in Imperium's favor, as Marcel Barthel rocket launched a feisty Leon Ruff from the top rope directly into Fabian Aichner's brainbuster! Isaiah "Swerve" Scott wanted the tag but was deprived of it, as a spinebuster from Aichner fed into Barthel's soccer kick for a near fall. Ruff tried to fight a seated abdominal stretch from Fabian, as the European set up a Powerbomb just for Ruff to reverse into a jumping enzuigiri! A rebound clothesline scored a close call, when "Swerve" got the tag. Wiping out everybody in sight with dropkicks, You Got Swerve took Barthel down! Aichner broke the count, when Ruff tagged in, hitting a crucifix driver! "Swerve" came in but missed the House Call and was sent from the ring, leaving Leon to fend for himself. Caught on a hurricanrana attempt, the Imperium Bomb marked the end for the underdog!

Imperium Bombshell
The dominance of Imperium continued across the pond from the NXT UK Brand, as Fabian Aichner and Marcel Barthel had their hands raised victorious. Their streak remaining untouched, the two loyalists of the NXT United Kingdom Champion WALTER stood stoically in the ring, with Barthel holding a microphone in hand. Isaiah "Swerve" Scott helped Leon Ruff to the floor, as Barthel talked about their mission statement upon returning to NXT being to keep the mat sacred for "the Ring General". Aichner continued, declaring while they had done well so far, they were far from finishing the job. They would not rest until the NXT Tag Team Championship was theirs! Slamming the mic down, Imperium stood to attention, with eyes on the prize.

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A video package aired, taking us back to the chaotic and untameable brawl that took place last month on NXT. The Street Fight on July 15 saw issues escalate between Mia Yim and Candice LeRae, with neither woman wanting to back down. The brawl spread all across the NXT Arena and wound up with "the Blasian Baddie" and "the Poison Pixie" duelling atop the Perch overlooking the scene. After digging her fingernails into Yim's eyes, the two found themselves careening from ten feet in the air through two tables - where Candice got the win, with a single arm over Mia's! Believing the win gave her a stronghold over the NXT Women's Division, Candice would go ambushed by Yim in the dressing room last week - and the two would once again lock horns in a Falls Count Anywhere match - tonight.

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A video package aired, taking us back to the events of last week. With his match looming with "the Herald of Doomsday" at NXT TakeOver XXX, Damian Priest made his way to the ring to speak with the NXT Universe. Scarlett planned to intrude on his moment and play mind games, planting an hourglass on the apron for "the Archer of Infamy" to gaze upon. As the sands of time ran out however, it would be revealed to be for "the Siren of Destruction" herself! Karrion Kross plotted a sneak attack fireball to once again debilitate "the Nocturnal Rockstar" heading into their match. Instead, Kross was left rushing to the aid of his mistress - who screamed in agony, as the fireball inadvertently scolded her instead!

The Day of Reckoning Approaches
The theme song sung by "the Siren of Destruction" saw Karrion Kross come out alone, dressed in a full black suit. In black and white, "the Herald of Doomsday" gloomed and doomed his way to the ring, with no sign of Scarlett in sight. As his theme song picked up, Karrion finally declared he had had enough. Snatching a microphone, he expressed that he had lived the nightmare a thousand times over, but never again would he feel such that sensation! Kross talked about the scarring memories of the fate that befell his partner, claiming Scarlett was an innocent party in this game between he and "the Archer of Infamy". Talking about Damian Priest, Kross believed this was all his fault! The NXT Universe chanted "we want Scarlett", when Kross demanded they shut the hell up. The most enraged we had ever seen him, Kross blamed Damian for starting this, and for bringing her into this. His mistress was scalded, injured potentially beyond repair - all thanks to that inconsiderate lowlife washout!

With NXT TakeOver XXX three days away, Karrion Kross snivelled as he declared time was running out for "the Archer of Infamy". He believed Damian Priest was about to slump far deeper than he had ever done before. In "the Herald of Doomsday's" mind, there was no turning back. They had passed the point of no return now! Wagging his index finger back and forth, Karrion said "Tick tock", believing that the sands of time on Priest's career were drastically dwindling - and come Saturday night, he would get what he deserved. Damian Priest interrupted, bringing Kross to loosen his tie with eyes wide open. Enraged by the very sight of "the Nocturnal Rockstar", Priest slowly and confidently removed his chain-link jacket. With a cool smirk, Damian knew exactly what he was doing - and as Kross disrobed of his dress shirt and left the ring, the fight was on! A fist fight broke out on the aisle, with neither man refusing to back down! Priest got the upper hand, when Kross scored a body blow and battled back.

The Kross Jacket was attempted, when Damian Priest reversed into an attempt at Reckoning! Karrion Kross weaseled away, when out raced officials and backstage officials! Eager to break up the proceedings between the two men set to meet at NXT TakeOver XXX, "the Archer of Infamy" and "the Herald of Doomsday" both continued to argue from afar! In three nights, there would be no more running for Kross or for Priest - as they were prepared to duel it out one-on-one - with no Scarlett to be seen!

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Abuelita
Raquel González
appeared unimpressed, as along came Dakota Kai, who confronted her "Insurance Policy" with a pout. Asking Raquel what mindset she was in tonight, she felt the need to question whose side she was on. "King Kota" claimed she had worked too long and too hard for her to drop the ball again, questioning why she even hired her services to begin with. "Big Mami Cool" spoke up, defending herself and reminding her that she was the one who helped her beat Rhea Ripley at the Great American Bash. While true, Kota brought up what happened last week - how when it truly mattered, "the Brutalist" had her way with her. Raquel again explained she tried to make the save, but Dakota would hear non of it.

Dakota Kai questioned what Raquel Gonzalez's true angle was, but noted that in all honesty, she didn't truly care. She could fire her tomorrow, and she wouldn't even have to think twice. Urging "Big Mami Cool" to consider it, she reminded her that before her she was nothing, and after her, her precious abuelita would be left high and dry without her wealth. González scowled back at Kota, demanding her not to even speak a word about her. Kai smiled, telling her she wouldn't dare: so long as Raquel played her cards right tonight and at NXT TakeOver XXX, and helped her capture the NXT Women's Championship. González stormed off angrily, with the big tag team match coming up next.

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An advertisement aired, promoting the debut of the WWE ThunderDome. This Sunday would mark thirty-two years of SummerSlam, but "the Biggest Party of the Summer" would be marked this year with the arrival of an all-new state-of-the-art virtual experience! For the first time ever, the WWE Universe would have the opportunity to attend their favorite live televised spectacles electronically, whether on Monday Night RAW and Friday Night SmackDown. All users had to do was sign up online for free at WWEThunderDome.com. Ahead of SummerSlam, a rehearsal would take place on Sunday at noon, where the SummerSlam Press Conference would be broadcast live and exclusively to viewers in attendance!

Mauro Ranallo and Beth Phoenix narrated footage from Monday Night RAW this past week, where in a huge surprise Shotzi and Tegan Nox represented "the Black and Gold Brand" in the Cross-Brand Women's Number One Contenders Tag Team Turmoil match. Though they came up short against Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler, they gave it their all in their quest to become number one contenders to the WWE Women's Tag Team Championships.


Extreme Makeover
With the Robert Stone Brand banner behind them, Robert Stone stood beside "the Disasterpiece" Mercedes Martinez and spoke about the radical transformation that the NXT Universe have beared witness to over the last month. What was once a group destined for failure in the era of Aliyah and Chelsea Green was no longer - for Mercedes made sure of that. "The Hipster" bragged about the size and strength of Martinez, and how she will be unstoppable in representing the Brand. Yet, he felt the need for a new new member. Stone dropped the bombshell that he had discovered his newest affiliate and come to terms with a majority stakeholder in "the Brand", Deonna Purrazzo! Robert clapped his hands rapidly as "the Virtuosa" entered the frame, speaking about the huge opportunity this had for not only her, but for the Brand. Martinez stood behind Deonna, who explained the synergy she had with Mercedes and Robert when they equalized both Shotzi and Tegan Nox last week in a genius checkmate.

Deonna Purrazzo claimed there was nobody more intelligent than her, but if there was somebody who came close - it had to be Robert Stone! With a grin, "the Hipster" agreed. Mercedes Martinez continued to tower over the scene with her steel mouthpiece, as "the Virtuosa" claimed they were the facelift that the Robert Stone Brand needed all along - and now they were here to make NXT recognize what they were all about. Stone applauded Tegan Nox and Shotzi on their fabulous Monday Night RAW cameo, before proposing that if "the Welsh Valley Wonder" was able to get a stroke of luck and knock one off over his "Disasterpiece" next week - then, Nox *might* be in the running for a match with the majority stakeholder of The Brand - Deonna Purrazzo!

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2) NXT Women's Champion Io Shirai and Rhea Ripley def. Dakota Kai and Raquel González (14:29) [THROUGH TWO BREAKS]
- The stage was set for Saturday's Triple Threat match pitting Io Shirai against both Dakota Kai and Rhea Ripley. In a preview of things to come at NXT TakeOver XXX, "the Joshi Judas" teamed with "the Brutalist" in tag team action against "King Kota" and her "Insurance Policy", who were not working on the same page early. Rhea started out with Kota, continuing where she left off last week. While Kota tried to fight her way out of corner, zipping out to the apron and connecting with a pump kick from the apron, a missile dropkick saw Rhea swat her out of thin air! Knee lifts to the anatomy of the Aussie led to a snapmare and a basement dropkick, when in came Io for a follow-up. "The Genius of the Sky" showed chemistry with Ripley, who hoisted her up for a dropkick from her shoulders! Io and Rhea were in control, while Kota scolded "Big Mami Cool" on the floor - but the NXT Women's Champion flew with a springboard crossbody to the floor!
- Rhea Ripley continued to get the better of Dakota Kai with two short-arm clotheslines, but as she attempted the ripcord, "King Kota" bounced back with a back elbow and the Scorpion Kick! Io Shirai tagged in and delivered a flapjack, but Raquel González would bring the NXT Women's Champion to stop to a halt - allowing Kai to strike with the Kai-O Kick in the corner! The founder of Team Kick showboated giving Io a moment to fight back, only to be cut off by a bicycle kick! Shirai tried to tag out, only to be stopped by Raquel becoming legal. A stalling suplex dropped Io, when the aggressive side of "Big Mami Cool" reared its' ugly head with a brutal headbutt! "The Joshi Judas" was hoisted up in the Canadian backbreaker, as she exchanged words with "the Brutalist" from afar, but Io landed on the top rope and fought off. With a diving hurricanrana, the Tiger Feint Kick landed on González when Kai delivered a second bicycle kick to the spine of Io - sending her into the ring post face-first.
- Io Shirai tried to battle desperately from Raquel González's chinlock, only to be the recipient of a lariat to the back of the head! "The Genius of the Sky" was planted with the Texana Drop, but kicked out at the count of two. Dakota Kai demanded and was tagged in, immediately looking for the Team Kick combination - but the NXT Women's Champion would deliver a big palm strike uppercut! A sole butt of her own allowed Io to perform a victory roll into the double footstomp, before tagging Rhea Ripley! "The Brutalist" went blow-for-blow with "the Insurance Policy" when Rhea performed the Freefall out of nowhere. "King Kota" came in looking for the G.T.K. but Rhea reversed into the Rip Tide! Raquel would break it up in motion using a big boot, before delivering the Texana Bomb! Io made the save as Kota was draped over her, and "the Joshi Judas" followed with double knees for Raquel in the corner. Kai looked for another pump kick, but Rhea sidestepped it and delivered the Rip Tide! She had the match won, but instead opted for Shirai to land the Moonsault for the win!

While they may be adversaries on Saturday in the Triple Threat match for the NXT Women's Championship, Rhea Ripley and Io Shirai were victorious in this tag team preview of things to come. Raquel González was spotted ringside watching with a conniving smile on her face, having had the opportunity to come to Dakota Kai's aid - but decided against it. Rhea raised "the Genius of the Sky's" hand, but interestingly kept the grip tight. Io favored her wrist as she snatched it away, when "the Brutalist" revealed her true intentions: the gold in "the Joshi Judas's" hands. "King Kota" stumbled to her feet at ringside, furious with the sight. Clambering onto the apron, she demanded Rhea and Io not rule her out. This weekend at NXT TakeOver XXX, three would enter and one would leave with the gold!

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McKenzie Mitchell was in the interview area about to introduce her guest when Ricky Starks rudely interrupted the broadcast journalist. Met with boos, "Absolute" advised McKenzie get out of his shot, and she hesitantly complied. Alone with a microphone Ricky spoke about this weekend being the biggest night in the lives of the NXT Universe - but for him, it would just be Saturday. Keith Lee had done plenty of things in his time in "the Black and Gold Brand" - the first two-time NXT North American Champion, who stunned the world with his performance in the 2019 Survivor Series going toe-to-toe with Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins. The one thing Keith Lee lacked was a moment with "Pretty Ricky". Ricky reminded everybody he was "the Center of Attention", and if all he had to do to get his shot was insult his grandmama, that was hilarious! He was the Superstar NXT deserved - not "the Limitless One". This Saturday, the gold was destined to be around his waist: and that was Absolute.

A graphic aired, promoting the upcoming look at NXT TakeOver XXX. This Saturday, two titans of NXT would collide in a sixty-minute feat of endurance: the Iron Man match for the most coveted prize in "the Black and Gold Brand" - the NXT Championship. But before then, a 'Prime Target' exclusive would take a special look at Finn Bálor and Adam Cole's stories headed into Saturday - up next.

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Tonight, NXT is brought to you by Cricket Wireless - "Smile! You're on Cricket."

Prime Target
A video package aired, providing an extensive and analytical look at the NXT Championship main event this coming weekend at NXT TakeOver XXX. In black and white, Finn Bálor was depicted clasping his hands together. In a room with a brick wall background, sat on a steel chair, "the Prince" examined the NXT gold in his hands and talked about what it meant to him. Not only was it the first piece of gold he captured in his WWE career, but it was his crowning achievement. As photographs of his reigns in Japan elaborated on the amount of championship titles he had won throughout his nineteen-year career, Finn raised the NXT Championship to the camera and called it the be-all and end-all. Another crowning achievement to him came on July 8, 2020, where he was able to dethrone Adam Cole and bring an end to the Undisputed Era's stronghold over "the Black and Gold Brand" - the place he built the foundations of. Bálor remained unfazed by the challenge, in fact he welcomed the challenge.

Adam Cole
spoke in the locker room after a training session at the gym, breathlessly speaking out about what NXT TakeOver XXX would mean to him. To stand on the top of the card, and to go sixty minutes with one of the greatest of all-time - and beat him - was not something he was taking lightly. Footage of his training strategy aired, showcasing footage of Roderick Strong running cardio drills with him using medicine balls and treadmills; Bobby Fish testing his matgame in the cage; and Kyle O'Reilly sparring strikes with Cole in the gym. "The Panama City Playboy" admitted to his confidence getting the better of him at Great American Bash, but this time he was coming prepared. Recapping his historic 402-day reign as the champion, Adam recounted his biggest victories over everybody who came his way - Daniel Bryan, Matt Riddle, Tommaso Ciampa, Johnny Gargano: even Finn Bálor. Cole believed he could beat Finn, and in sixty minutes he proved to make his mark.

Possessed by proving he was the best that had ever stepped through the doors of the WWE Performance Center, Adam Cole believed he first had to do so by going the distance with Finn Bálor. "The Prince" responded calling "the Panama City Playboy" full of self-assurance - but that was only because of the party he kept around him at all times. Finn believed the Undisputed Era were the only reason he was on top of NXT for so long - and as far as the NXT Championship was concerned, he would be victorious in the end. The first-ever Iron Man match in the history of "the Black and Gold Brand" was merely days away, and with neither man wanting to give anything up to the NXT Universe: who would make history, leaving NXT TakeOver XX with the most coveted prize on the NXT Brand?

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3) Dijakovic def. Ben Buchanan (0:52)
- "The Demolition Man" had learned through his past in NXT that he was better off alone, after being manipulated in his own mind by the likes of Keith Lee, Damian Priest and Karrion Kross. Out to carve out his own path in NXT, the toothpick-chomping, denim-and-leather wearing stud went into this match with Ben Buchanan immediately mauling him in the corner! Buchanan got in some offense, striking his way out only to be hit with Time to Fly! Dijakovic followed Buchanan out to the floor with an incredible Fosbury Flop, before rolling the upstart inside - where the Cyclone Kick knocked him out for the count in no time!

Dijakovic had obliterated Ben Buchanan in less than a minute, and appeared to be more dangerous than ever. "The Demolition Man" pointed at his face and mouthed the words "Feast Your Eyes" to the NXT Universe, to a positive response. A loner with a deathwish, Dijakovic was carving out his own path in "the Black and Gold Brand".

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Wasting No Time
Mia Yim
psyched herself up backstage by slapping herself in the face. Adressing the camera, she told a story about once believing Candice LeRae to be a friend. When she was finding her feet in this business, she received guidance from the woman who now regarded herself as "the Poison Pixie". Mia called her selfish for going the way she had, how she got stuck in her own head and was going to pay the price. After their Street Fight last month, "the Blasian Baddie" knew exactly the lengths Candice was going to take to get the W in tonight's Falls Count Anywhere match - by any means necessary. Referencing her husband Johnny Gargano, Yim proclaimed with "Johnny TakeOver" not around, that meant she only had herself to talk to now. Standing up for the women of NXT, they all deserved a mentor greater than her. Mia was fired up, when from behind rushed Candice LeRae! With a referee present, "the Trailblazer" threatened the referee to ring the bell - this match was starting right now!

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4) Mia Yim def. Candice LeRae in a Falls Count Anywhere match (9:49) [THROUGH THE BREAK]
- They went to war last month in a Street Fight that will be remembered for time to come, featuring the most horrific conclusion in recent memory. Mia Yim and Candice LeRae both fell from the top of the Perch overlooking the NXT Arena, but all it took was the arm of "the Poison Pixie" to garner the three count. The ambush before the break saw the battle continue as Candice dragged "the Blasian Baddie" through the curtain to the NXT Universe area. Away from ringside, the small selection of facemasked fans stood with caution, as Yim scrapped to escape LeRae's clutches only to be sent careening off the plexiglass walls! Mia battled back to be hit with a suplex on the concrete floor, bringing Candice to have words with several members of the audience. Demanding their respect for being "the Trailblazer" she was, she was not expecting to be hit with a flying crossbody from Yim from the top of the giant "NXT" letters! Despite that, she would only achieve a near fall, as Yim continued to bring the fight to Candice!
- The battle continued at ringside, with Candice LeRae landing an exploder suplex onto the floor! "The Poison Pixie" grew agitated with Mia Yim's heart, sending her into the steel steps. In the ring, "the Blasian Baddie" fired out of nowhere with a dragon suplex! Yim landed a neckbreaker for a near fall, before applying the tarantula in the ropes! Candice had nowhere to run, when LeRae crotched her foe on the top rope. The two jostled for position, when the Wild Ride saw both women fall from the second rope to the ringside floor! Candice got an arm over - yet Yim kicked out! LeRae entered the ring and grabbed a steel chair, propping it beneath Yim. Attempting the Wicked Stepsister, Yim reversed with a drop toe hold! LeRae's face bounced off the steel, and the Sole Food connected. On the comeback, Candice fired with the Poison Rana before setting the steel chair up. Again looking for the Wild Ride through it, Yim responded - with Protect Ya Neck dropping her face-first into the chair's seat for the win!

A valiant effort from "the Trailblazer" saw Mia Yim triumph in a hard-hitting Falls Count Anywhere brawl. "The Blasian Baddie" lumbered back to a vertical base, her hand raised yet her arm cut open from the onslaught of Candice LeRae. With the respect of the NXT Universe, Mia motioned for the NXT Women's Championship, all the while "the Poison Pixie" rolled from the ring and flopped to the floor in shame.

✕✕✕

One Down
Footage aired from moments, revealing Kushida arriving on the campus of Full Sail University only to find himself surrounded by members of Legado del Fantasma. With the Trios match coming up at NXT TakeOver XXX, "the Supernova" bravely challenged Santos Escobar's gang to bring it on, prompting Raúl Mendoza and Joaquin Wilde to sandwich the former NXT Cruiserweight Champion with a pummeling of blows! "The Emperor" watched in supervision, before pausing his henchmen from continuing further. As Kushida laid gasping for air on the grass outside of the NXT Arena, Escobar grasped him by the jaw and told him he was nothing to him! With a decisive right hand, Legado abruptly departed the scene once they realized Lucha House Party were on the way! In ran Gran Metalik and Lince Dorado, yelling at the trio and checking on their partner. Kushida favored his shoulder, sidelined again by the villainous Legado del Fantamsa. Lucha House Party looked to be in jeopardy this Saturday!

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On a splitscreen, Timothy Thatcher and Bronson Reed were seen gearing up and preparing for action. After "the Battleship" impeded on "the Thatch Man's" hand in torturing another victim last week, the master of 'Thatch-As-Thatch-Can' would challenge him to a match. Performing nonstop squats with a maniacal grimace on his face, Tim showed no fear. Meanwhile, "the Thicc Boi" of NXT threw on his jacket and psyched himself up for their first-time encounter - in mere moments.

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An advertisement aired, promoting 'Triple H: The Evolution of The Game' - a new LP commemorating twenty-five years of "the Cerebral Assassin". This limited edition vinyl would feature every single theme song of "the Game". A must-have for collectors, it was available now, exclusively on WWEShop.

A graphic aired, promoting the #NXTLoud official theme song for NXT TakeOver XXX - "Moth Into Flame" by Metallica. The live version with the San Francisco Symphony was available now on Apple Music and Spotify.


Footage aired from moments ago, reviewing Kushida's parking lot attack at the hands of Legado del Fantasma. It jeopardized the Trios match coming up on Saturday night at NXT TakeOver XXX, with "the Supernova's" condition being examined by doctors. Things did not look good at all for Lucha House Party headed into battle with Santos Escobar, Raúl Mendoza and Joaquin Wilde.

✕✕✕

5) Bronson Reed vs Timothy Thatcher ended in a double count-out (4:39)
- A first-time encounter between two wildly different competitors saw Bronson Reed and Timothy Thatcher immediately come to blows, jumping the gun on the bell to start this match! "The Thatch Man" found himself overwhelmed initially by the offense of "the Battleship", when the bare-bones work ethic of Thatcher came into play. With European uppercuts rocking Bronson, a sleeper hold was attempted only to be overpowered into a Samoan drop! Reed rocked Thatcher with a senton, but Timothy picked the ankle at ringside and clubbed away at it. Applingy an ankle lock, "the Thicc Boi" worked to fight it - just for Tim to transition into a single-legged Boston crab! Reed kicked free, overpowering him with a spinning side slam, before the two began their fight on the floor. Thatch sank in a triangle choke, when Reed delivered an apron powerbomb. The King Kong Lariat swung, but Thatcher blocked it with the Fujiwara armbar. Meanwhile, time ran out and both were counted out!

The NXT Universe booed the decision of the referee, as Bronson Reed was finally able to fight the Fujiwara armbar by swinging Timothy Thatcher upside down against the steel steps! A standing Tsunami crushed "the Thatch Man" on the ringside floor, but as the official worked to walk "the Battleship" away from the ringside area, Thatcher raced after him with right hands! Reinforcements hit the scene to try and keep these men apart!

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Uggos and Ugg Boots
Breezango
talked about what Legado del Fantasma did to Kushida in the parking lot moments ago, bringing concern from 'Dango and "Prince Pretty". Tyler Breeze assured Fandango he would have his back in the hypothetical situation that saw him attacked, though his partner couldn't say the same about him. "The Fashion Police" bickered comically, when in stomped the NXT Tag Team Champions Ever-Rise. Livid with the amount of talk-time they were getting, Matt Martel spouted off about being the champs, and the hosts of a successful podcast - yet Ever-Rise got no love! Chase Parker was insulted by Breeze and Fandango getting NXT time over them, bringing up how the comedians' act was staler than Ugg boots in 2016. Breeze told the 'Ever-Rise Live' co-hosts they were "Uggos", as Fandango joked about their fit, asking them which territory they were wearing: Memphis or Calgary! Chase restrained Matt, issuing the challenge. Breeze accepted - but only if they put the titles on the line! Ever-Rise ignored it, walking away in hysterics.

  • Next week - NXT Tag Team Champions Ever-Rise vs Breezango
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Without their leader, the Undisputed Era walked the halls poised for the match ahead. Challenged by the fearless NXT Champion Finn Bálor and NXT North American Champion Keith Lee, a three-on-two handicap match was made - three days from the two champions being in high stakes competition at NXT TakeOver XXX. Roderick Strong believed this week was the UE's for the taking, as Bobby Fish and Kyle O'Reilly warmed up and swaggered the halls. It was main event time - coming up next!

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McKenzie Mitchell was backstage with one of the challengers headed into NXT TakeOver XXX this weekend with a shot at becoming NXT Women's Champion again - Rhea Ripley. "The Brutalist" smiled at the broadcast journalist but made it known that she was going to keep this short and sweet and get to the point. Since WrestleMania, she had endured a storm that had sent her career on a rollercoaster ride - but on Saturday night, that storm passes. The clouds will clear, and there will be one person who leaves with the title. It wouldn't be Dakota Kai, and it wouldn't be Io Shirai. Rhea stated she would regain what she lost at WrestleMania.

✕✕✕

Mauro Ranallo and Beth Phoenix discussed the night it had been, before turning to discuss NXT TakeOver XXX. What started in 2014 sparked "the NXT Revolution" the WWE Universe had come to know, and while this Saturday would celebrate the countless memories made: it would be the start of a new era in the history of "the Black and Gold Brand!" Running down the line-up for the upcoming extravaganza, graphics aired showing what was in store this weekend on the WWE Network!

  • NXT Championship - 60-minute Iron Man match - Finn Bálor (c) vs Adam Cole
  • NXT Women's Championship - Triple Threat match - Io Shirai (c) vs Dakota Kai vs Rhea Ripley
  • Karrion Kross vs Damian Priest
  • NXT North American Championship - Keith Lee (c) vs Ricky Starks
  • Trios match - Legado del Fantasma vs Kushida and Lucha House Party
✕✕✕

6) Roderick Strong, Bobby Fish and Kyle O'Reilly def. NXT Champion Finn Bálor and NXT North American Champion Keith Lee in a Handicap match (9:31) [THROUGH THE BREAK]
- The pride of the NXT Champion and NXT North American Champion would not allow them to simply enter NXT TakeOver XXX without putting amends to their issues with the Undisputed Era. With "the Prince" awaiting battle with Adam Cole in a 60-minute Iron Man match; and Keith Lee preparing for Ricky Starks in three nights, Finn Bálor and Keith chinked their titles together before coming after the three UE members! After a brief flurry of offense from Finn, Roderick Strong used Bobby Fish's distraction to blast Bálor with an Argentine backbreaker! With Adam Cole there in spirit, Roddy worked to keep Finn away from "the Limitless One", though the champ slipped out of a Regal-Plex attempt from Kyle O'Reilly into a victory roll, and a double footstomp landed! Keith Lee came in with the iron claw STO for Fish and the Pounce for Strong, when O'Reilly attempted the Kyle Combination - just to miss a legsweep and find himself hit with a crossbody!
- The two champions maintained control of Kyle O'Reilly until a big boot was able to send Keith Lee from the ring. Finn Bálor looked for the Pelé kick just for it to go caught and reversed, and suddenly a dragon screw took "the Prince" down! The Undisputed Era dissected the leg of the NXT Champion, who managed to kick free from a "Hollywood Kyle" achilles hold, when Roderick Strong administered a shinbreaker into the Cloud 9! Bobby Fish attempted the Flying Fish Hook but Finn caught him with the Sling Blade! Keith Lee dropped O'Reilly with a spinebuster and Fish with a belly-to-belly suplex before combatting Strong and Fish. Finn equalized, but the referee was taken out. The Big Bang Catastrophe had Fish beat, but with no official to count, Roddy teased an attack! Lee spotted him and chased him up the aisle - where from out came Ricky Starks with a steel chair to the spine! "Absolute" helped Roddy dump Lee into the ring, where Kyle O'Reilly hit the diving knee drop to the back of the head for the win!

Bad Wheel
"The Center of Attention" watched from the top of the aisle to loud boos from the NXT Universe, observing his handiwork. Dropping the steel chair used to take down the NXT North American Champion, Ricky Starks was waiting for NXT TakeOver XXX, where he hoped to beat Keith Lee and win his first piece of gold. Meanwhile, the Undisputed Era would look to continue their beatdown on "the Limitless One" inside! In the nick of time, Finn Bálor came hobbling into the ring. His leg hurt and all, the NXT Champion would not let anything slow him down, though the UE members wisely departed. Roderick Strong led Bobby Fish and Kyle O'Reilly in talking trash, proclaiming Adam Cole would be taking back his title on Saturday. Finn looked down at his hurting leg and realized the war that he was in for: having to endure the 60-minute Iron Man match with "the Panama City Playboy" in seventy-two hours!

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Friday Night SmackDown #1095 - August 21, 2020
WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida
Presented by
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"Are You Ready" by AC/DC
SUMMERSLAM: THIS SUNDAY!
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205 Live #193 – August 21, 2020
1) Chris Bey def. Cameron Grimes with the Triple C. "The Ultimate Finesser" continued to impress the NXT Universe one week after his debut on "the Black and Gold Brand". Cameron Grimes hoped to give him some stiff competition, but "the Carolina Caveman" found it difficult to keep up with the newest addition to the Cruiserweight Division. Ashamed by defeat, Cameron threw a tantrum and blamed the officiating, still recouping his failure in recruiting a tag team partner in Killian Dain. (7:49)
2) Tay Conti def. Vanessa Borne with the DD-Tay. The excitable Brazilian returned to 205 Live to take on some heavy competition in the up-and-coming Vanessa, who tried to use her experience to put the youngster away. The judoka battled back using her mixed martial arts influence to pick up another win with a big smile on her face. (3:34)
- Vic Joseph and Dio Maddin had some unfortunate news with regards to NXT TakeOver XXX, scheduled to take place live tomorrow night on the WWE Network. With Kushida incapacitated due to the parking lot attack from Legado del Fantasma last Wednesday night on NXT, "the Supernova" would not be medically cleared for tomorrow's Trios confrontation. Lince Dorado and Gran Metalik were now at a disadvantage with twenty-four hours to wait!
3) Breezango def. Legado del Fantasma by disqualification when Raúl Mendoza struck Fandango with a chain. "The Fashion Police" looked to exact some measure of revenge on Mendoza and Joaquin Wilde in Santos Escobar's absence, but just when 'Dango hit the Last Dance and looked to have it, the NXT Cruiserweight Champion's henchmen resorted to dirty tactics. A post-match beatdown saw Legado del Fantasma look strong, when Lucha House Party rushed the ring. Lince Dorado and Gran Metalik were prepared for the Trios match at NXT TakeOver XXX - but who would they find to replace the injured Kushida? (6:17)

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Extreme Makeover
As the haunting closing moments of last week's edition of Friday Night SmackDown aired, the inferno which consumed the Firefly Fun House thanks to Brother Nero's flamethrower invasion would see the horrifying sounds of screams, and the flooding shots of flames burning the Fun House - abruptly cut to the Firefly Fun House title sequence! Deep into the reconstruction process, Bray Wyatt was spotted atop a ladder inside the wooden foundations of a house. Using the oversized mallet of The Fiend's to help, "the Eater of Worlds" spotted the Fireflies present! Coming down, he welcomed each of them for checking in on him. Despite the hell on earth that "the Death-Defying Daredevil" put on they and the Fun House last week - he always fancied redecorating anyway! With a big smile, he talked about a makeover being long overdue before whispering that Abby the Witch was responsible for the old decor. To everybody who worried about him, he was doing just fine - it would take a lot more than that to get rid of him!

A chargrilled Ramblin' Rabbit popped up, still choking up the smoke from last week - but before he could get his words out, Bray Wyatt immediately swatted him from the scene. This was his time to speak! Continuing to discuss the atrocities that Brother Nero was adding to his list by the night, "the Eater of Worlds" lamented having taken his grasp of reality from him already - and he was not done yet. His world had been burned down before, and it only made "the New Face of Fear" come back badder and scarier than ever! Bray believed the same could be said for a John Morrison. "The Guru of Greatness" had the audacity to call the WWE Universal Champion out to a match tonight, like he was looking to get himself killed. Wyatt gestured JoMo as not all there, before putting on his hardhat and waving a screwdriver around. With SummerSlam right around the corner, Bray believed his week just got a whole lot busier - but fret not, little Fireflies. He urged them all to enjoy the show...or slaughter!

  • Tonight - WWE Universal Champion The Fiend vs John Morrison
The opening video package aired, bringing us to the WWE Performance Center for Friday Night SmackDown. Michael Cole and Corey Graves welcomed us to the show, merely two nights away from "the Biggest Party of the Summer". With SummerSlam right around the corner, who knew what they could expect after the fire that brought the Firefly Fun House to a close last week!

Challenge for The Working Man
Standing in the ring already, Fight Night took centerstage with Sheamus holding a microphone. Cesaro and Shinsuke Nakamura stood either side of him, as "the Celtic Warrior" was dressed for a scrap, in braces, a white vest and a hat. Addressing the fate that saw Braun Strowman crumble under the pressure once again last week, Sheamus talked about having power over Friday Night SmackDown. He declare that Fridays on FOX may as well be renamed "Fight Night" because they had been carrying this show for months - and not even some phony old "Monster Among Men" could stop them. The Irishman continued to laugh as he alerted the WWE Universe to the big screen, which showed the sight of Braun Strowman being outnumbered by the three men. "The Swiss Cyborg" and "the Artist" had assistance from members of the Royal Family, and with a five-on-one advantage, Sheamus would cut the ponytail from the giant's head! Sheamus chuckled, stating it was 2 Sheamus - and 0 Braun!

Pulling the locks of "the Monster Among Men" from behind his back, Sheamus grinned and talked about how Braun Strowman's ponytail had never looked as good as it did in his heads. It sure didn't look good at all on Braun's ugly head. Shinsuke Nakamura laughed annoyingly, remarking that Strowman had better consider a new barber! Cesaro added Strowman should consider retirement, because any time he tried to come back from the humiliation he endured last week - it was going to happen again, and again, and again! Finally Daniel Bryan interrupted, the WWE Intercontinental Champion walking out to the ring and telling the Lads that the ranks of the WWE Universe might not be there with them - but SmackDown was still 'the People's Show!' Daniel pointed at "the Working Man's Title" around his waist and told them that the last time he checked - neither of them were wearing gold. How could they run a show without the power that came with a title like his?

Sheamus snorted at the idea of Daniel Bryan looking for another Open Challenge. His greed was going to get the best of him - again! "The Celtic Warrior" urged "the Submission Expert" to look no further than WrestleMania XXVIII, where he hit him with a Brogue Kick to win his first World Championship in 21 seconds! Bryan shrugged, seeing his point. But with SummerSlam two nights ago...he wanted to put his skill as "Working Man's Champion" to the test! Bryan asked Sheamus if he wanted to do it again, or what about Shinsuke Nakamura? Bryan asked Shin if he was still "the King of Strong Style" down deep, yet Cesaro would be the one to snatch the microphone and tell the Lads he would take one for the team. "The Swiss Cyborg" told Daniel it would be his honor to kick his ass once again for his title - right here and right now! Fight Night trash talked Bryan, who removed the WWE Intercontinental Championship and urged the referee to get down here!

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An advertisement aired, promoting WWE SummerSlam. It was "the Biggest Party of the Summer", and this year was no exception, as two of WWE's biggest names would collide for the WWE World Championship. Drew McIntyre would put the gold at stake against Seth Rollins in 'Terminator vs Messiah' - "You'll Never See It Coming!" It would be live this Sunday, on the award-winning WWE Network.

1) Daniel Bryan (c) def. Cesaro (with Sheamus and Shinsuke Nakamura) (11:30) [THROUGH THE BREAK]
- "The Submission Expert" had already forged an Open Challenge to anybody in the WWE at SummerSlam this Sunday, yet wanting to prove his ability as "the Working Man's Champion" against a member of Fight Night tonight. Cesaro used his size early to dictate the pace, but Bryan fought a butterfly suplex and responded with a series of kicks. With a flying clothesline, the WWE Intercontinental Champion followed with a back suplex. Sheamus and Shinsuke Nakamura watched from ringside, as Cesaro caught an inbound Bryan with a suplex! "The Swiss Cyborg" motioned taking the title into "the Biggest Party of the Summer", when Bryan came back with kicks. Cesaro responded with a European uppercut, soon sitting Bryan on the top rope. Cesaro teased an avalanche gutwrench suplex, but Bryan sent him down - flying with a missile dropkick! Cesaro rolled to the floor, and Bryan flew with a dive through the ropes - but Cesaro caught him in mid-motion with a gutwrench suplex to the floor!
- Daniel Bryan was in danger as Cesaro drilled him with short-arm clotheslines. During the break Bryan endured a springboard European uppercut, and now was set up for the Apamare Waterslide. Bryan spun out into the Yes Lock - but Cesaro planted him with a reverse gutwrench suplex! The unmitigated strength of "the Swiss Cyborg" saw him apply the Sharpshooter, though "the Submission Expert" fought it. Resolving it with the Dungeon Lock, Sheamus and Shinsuke Nakamura watched applauding him - but Bryan struggled to the ropes! "The Working Man's Title" was going to go one way or another days from SummerSlam's Open Challenge, but the WWE Intercontinental Champion ignited his comeback. A backflip out of the corner saw him run into Cesaro's clothesline and a double footstomp! The Neutralizer was teased, but Bryan applied a rolling armbar. Deadlifted into a one-armed powerbomb, Cesaro looked for the Pop-Up Uppercut - to be reversed into the Yes Lock! With nowhere to turn, Cesaro tapped!

"The Submission Expert" had done it again, able to come out victorious against Cesaro. But, the WWE Intercontinental Champion's week was just getting started, with his Open Challenge scheduled to take place still this Sunday at SummerSlam. As Cesaro rolled from the ring, "the Working Man's Champion" proceeded with "YES!" chants to the WWE Universe, while an unmoved Sheamus and Shinsuke Nakamura applauded from the floor. "The Celtic Warrior" laughed in Daniel Bryan's direction, almost knowingly. What was Sheamus indicating? Even the champ was perplexed!

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Ulterior Motives?
The SmackDown Women's Champion Bayley entered the dressing room to approach Sasha Banks. They were WWE Women's Tag Team Champions, but with "Bayley 2 Belts'" match at SummerSlam with Mandy Rose, she questioned "the Legit Boss" for ducking her this past week. Banks explained why, talking about everything adding up, and how it came across to her that Bayley was using her. Last week she was left high and dry for Mandy Rose and Naomi to kick the tar out of her! Questioning what kind of friendship this was, Bayley faltered. Talking about how much "the Boss 'n' Hug Connection" meant to her, she never wanted to make her feel that way. Expressing her love to her BFF, Sasha told she knew, but she needed time and space to think about this! Bayley understood, but frantically asked if Sasha was still going to take on Mandy Rose tonight. Reluctantly, Banks said she would, but after SummerSlam they were gonna have to talk. Thanking her, the double-champ left the room - before excitedly pumping her fists in relief!

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Graphics appeared on-screen as Michael Cole and Corey Graves discussed the news that broke earlier this week across social media - the debut of 'the WWE ThunderDome'. Headlines from the likes of Variety, Sports Illustrated, CBS Sports, Yahoo Sports and ESPN were among the outlets which covered it, as this unprecedented interactive fan experience would begin this Sunday night with SummerSlam - as emitted from the Amway Center! To become a part of history in the making, WWE Universe members were implored to register with WWEThunderDome.com and find out how to become a part of "the Biggest Party of the Summer". A trial rehearsal would take place this Sunday afternoon at 12 PM, with the official SummerSlam Press Conference.

Kayla Braxton was standign by in the interview area with Big E, who appeared lonely without Kofi Kingston by his side. Asked about the SmackDown Tag Team Championship that was taken away from the New Day last week, Big E told Kayla that long ago he agreed to always think highly of everybody - regardless of how doody or booty his foe was, and it was that oath he agreed to that brought him to levels he had never reached before. "The Power of Positivity" was flowing through his veins, and he refused to let Booty Baron or his Royal Joker Cards get a guy down. The Royal Family may have robbed them of their title shot at Heavy Machinery last week, but tonight Big E was gonna get them back and King Corbin was going to "Feel the Power" with the New Day and the WWE Universe behind him tonight.

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2) Dolph Ziggler (with Robert Roode) def. Mustafa Ali (8:47) [THROUGH THE BREAK]
- This rivalry had grown exponentially from the moment Mustafa Ali revealed himself to be "the Hacker". After harrassing Dolph Ziggler for months on end, "the Show Off" would grow agitated enough to call for the return of his tag team partner Robert Roode. "The Glorious One" watched ringside as Ziggler looked to avenge a previous loss from last month, not even waiting for Ali to enter the ring. With rapidfire punches in the corner, Mustafa battled out of the corner with rights and lefts, when an enzuigiri rattled Dolph to the apron. There, Ali sprung off the second rope with a roundhouse kick! Ali went for the rolling neckbreaker early, but Roode would involve himself by dragging him to the floor - his jaw bouncing off the apron! It went unspotted by the official, and Ziggler would capitalize from Roode tossing Ali back inside, for a corner splash into a neckbreaker to connect. Showboating and using the corner as a hammock, Ziggler allowed Ali to get back in the fight with a spinning headscissors and a tornado DDT!
- Dolph Ziggler had changed the pace, as Robert Roode again provided the distraction for "the Show Off" to drop Mustafa Ali with the famouser during the break. A series of heart stopping elbow drops landed, but "the Hacker" evaded the last one and clocked him with the super kick! Heading to the top rope, Mustafa looked for the 450 splash, but after yet another interruption from "the Glorious One", Ziggler would crotch him. The two jostled for position, when Ziggler delivered a superplex from the top! Neither men could react quickly, and Dolph teased a Super Kick of his own. Instead, Ali ducked and connected with one of his own; and the rolling facebuster connected for a near fall! Ali wanted to put this behind him, beginning another ascent to the top. Ziggler dragged him down and attempted the jumping DDT, only Ali threw him off and caught him with a rolling clutch cradle - only to be sent into the forearm of Roode at ringside! Ziggler rolled Ali up with the tights to steal the win!

Dolph Ziggler threw his arms up in the air in relief, having stolen this match from Mustafa Ali. "The Hacker" responded with another super kick, before mounting him with right hands. The animosity between these two had reached a fever pitch, when in from behind came Robert Roode with a spinebuster! "The Glorious One" put the boots to Ziggler, who joined in with a series of right hands. "The Show Off" was beside himself, but just when he and Roode readied to put Ali down, out to the ring ran Apollo Crews! With clotheslines and a dropkick, "the One-Man Nation" clotheslined Roode from the ring before military pressing Dolph over the top rope onto him! Apollo and Mustafa shared the ring, staring them down.

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In the backstage area, John Morrison was getting himself in the zone for the mental manipulation and torment to be expected from his confrontation tonight with the WWE Universal Champion The Fiend. "The Guru of Greatness" sat with an iPad watching a video package of "the New Face of Fear's" history, leading up from his debut at SummerSlam 2019 and his assault of JoMo himself two weeks ago. With the Interdimensional Warfare match fuelling the Fiend's nightmarish spell over Friday Night SmackDown, Morrison gulped and looked determined as he prepared for the match he himself had demanded.

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Pierside Romance
Footage aired from last night, where Otis and Mandy Rose's latest date was captured in a montage. "The Precious Peach" and her hunky adonis wined and dined, including a brief moment where "the Powder Keg" got ice cream on the tip of his nose. Their hands clasped together as the two glanced longingly in one-another's eyes, before a cross-fade saw the scene transition to a pier on the coast. Overlooking the waves crashing against the shore, the tuxedo-clad SmackDown Tag Team Champion took the time to stop "the Golden Goddess" in her tracks to tell her she was perfect. Mandy disagreed, but smiled and thanked her man. Otis tightened his grip of her palm, assuring her she was everything she said she was, and then some. He talked about their time together this past few months, and how he hoped they were just getting started. Yet Mandy's doubt revealed itself, as the previously vain blonde bombshell frowned. She asked if she stood a shot at defeating Bayley at SummerSlam, which brought Otis to be affirmative!

Apprehensive that his girlfriend had the ability to overcome Bayley and become SmackDown Women's Champion at SummerSlam, Otis compared Mandy Rose to Wonder Woman - she entered this business with nothing, from scratch. In all her years, her hard work and dedication had brought her here: for it all to pay off. "The Powder Keg" emotionally told Mandy he loved her, but Rose remained concerned. She asked if he would still feel the same way if she failed at "the Biggest Party of the Summer", to which Otis put his arms around her. Of course he would! But on the topic, he had to wonder if Mandy would still like him if the Royal Family shaved his head like Braun Strowman's. Mandy played with his combed-back locks with a laugh, thanking her lover for the pick me up. Otis assured her Sunday would be her time to shine. Mandy looked lovingly in his eyes, when the champ teased picking Mandy up and throwing her into the water! Rose struggled as laughter filled the scene - a touching moment between two star-crossed lovers.

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3) King Corbin def. Big E (6:27) [THROUGH THE BREAK]
- The Royal Family kept themselves busy last week, between ensuring the New Day were not cleared for their opportunity at the SmackDown Tag Team Championship against Heavy Machinery. Not just that - but they also played a vital part in taking down Braun Strowman with Fight Night and shaving "the Monster Among Men's" head. Big E was here to avenge Kofi Kingston, who went down with an ankle injury from last week's attack. With Duke Nese and Sir Gable not present at ringside, Big E started hot with a series of clotheslines, when a pop-up facebuster thwarted the King's efforts at a comeback! Big E managed to power Corbin up on his shoulder with a shoulderbreak in mind, but Corbin landed on his feet before taking the New Day member down with a chokeslam! Now in control, Corbin ran his mouth and got a near fall with the inverted Yokosuka cutter, when Big E delivered a body block! With Corbin out on the floor, Big E teased the spear through the ropes, but Corbin returned to deliver the Dream Crusher!
- Big E tried to turn the tide from a seated hammerlock brought on by King Corbin, and was able to deliver some right hands only to be thrust in the ribcage by a knee strike. With a choking STO, the apparent patriarch of the Royal Family showboated, when Big E came firing back with rapid shoulder thrusts. A military press slam led to the big splash, when the New Day member started setting up shop for the Big Ending. Behind him, Duke Nese and Sir Gable came down to ringside bringing an argument between the three. Corbin came from behind only to be hit with a belly-to-belly suplex. With the Duke on the apron, Big E hit the spear through the ropes, crashing Nese into Gable on the floor! Rolling back inside, Corbin struck with the steel scepter to the spine snapping it in half! With the referee ejecting Gable and Nese from ringside it went unspotted, and the End of Days provided Corbin with the three count.

The Royal Family had meddled their way to victory again with King Corbin celebratory over the fallen Big E. As the New Day member rolled out to the floor in woe, the King took his rightful place with what remained of the broken and shattered steel scepter. Sir Gable and Duke Nese joined the King in the ring, when out came Heavy Machinery! The SmackDown Tag Team Champions still felt for Big E, as Otis and Tucker rushed the ring bringing the Royals to flee. Helping Big E back into the ring, "the Powder Keg" and "the Brick Hit-House" assured Big E he and Kofi Kingston would get their rematch, while Corbin protested the champs' rude interruption of his victory.

▆▆▆

First of its Kind
A video package aired, previewing the first of its kind match coming up at "the Biggest Party of the Summer". Two entities had often rolled the dice of fate to gain prominence over the WWE Universe. Building notoriety through nefarious means, and reinventing the wheel to make it to the top, Bray Wyatt and Jeff Hardy now found themselves at a crossroads. The Fiend made his terrifying debut last year and sealed his spot becoming WWE Universal Champion. Determination at redemption brought Jeff to the title - when "the New Face of Fear" reared his ugly head. With a disturbing fight in Last Man Standing at the Horror Show at the Extreme Rules, Fiend recaptured what was once his - but now, "the Death-Defying Daredevil" had created his own alter ego: Brother Nero. The seven deities had primed and readied him for this moment, and now, in a match without rules; without restrictions of any kind; and with only one being able to leave as champion. It would be Interdimensional Warfare this Sunday at SummerSlam.

▆▆▆

In the backstage area, Alexa Bliss walked with a smile on her face. Dressed professionally, "the Goddess" was heading to the ring to host 'A Moment of Bliss' with her special guest - Nikki Cross! Bliss seemed excited to be reunited with her "Twisted Sister", up next.

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Up for Grabs
As Friday Night SmackDown returned, an erratic debate had broken out in the backstage hallway! Officials flocked to the scene, as Heavy Machinery tried to get their hands on the Royal Family after what they did! King Corbin, Duke Nese and Sir Gable hid behind the referees and producers as they told Otis and Tucker they would be willing to let them have their shot at them - if "the Blue Collar Boys" put the SmackDown Tag Team Championships on the line this Sunday at SummerSlam! Perhaps shortsightedly, "the Brick Hit House" told the Royals they were on, bringing even "the Powder Keg" to question they were. Gable and Nese teased letting the champs take their shot, as officials continued to try and keep the two teams separated.

  • SummerSlam - SmackDown Tag Team Championship - Heavy Machinery (c) vs The Royal Family
▆▆▆

'A Moment of Misery'
The ring was set up for 'A Moment of Bliss' inside the WWE Performance Center, as Alexa Bliss took a seat in the ring. Welcoming the WWE Universe to the show, she talked about how things between herself and her guest had been rocky for some time. It hadn't always been easy, but despite the "odd couple" vibes they had going for them, two polar opposites attracted through friendship. "The Goddess" reminisced about capturing the WWE Women's Tag Team Championships with this intense woman on "the Grandest Stage of Them All" at WrestleMania, but admitted to their egos being too much for the SmackDown Women's Championship, as evidenced by the Horror Show at Extreme Rules. With all that said, with all of the self-doubt her guest had had, this past Monday night on RAW saw the two turn a wonderful new leaf! She welcomed the audience to give a warm welcome to Nikki Cross! Alexa grinned, but with "the Twisted Sister" not making her entrance, she called out a second, and a third time.

Instead, out came Mickie James and Lacey Evans! With microphones on hand, "the Sassy Southern Belle" sadly broke the news to Alexa Bliss that her guest Nikki Cross would not be able to attend her little show tonight. "The Country Gal" talked about something coming over "Naughty Nikki", but she nor Lacey could quite put their fingers on what it was. It might be the flu, it might be a lack of intestinal fortitude - or it might just be cold feet! The two vixens grinned as they directed "Little Miss Bliss's" attention to the big screen, revealing Nikki Cross being shown hanging upside down unconscious backstage! Bliss was livid and screamed for help for her bestie, though James and Evans offered to take Cross's place as her guest on 'A Moment of Bliss!' Heading for the ring, Alexa backed up when Carmella slid into the ring from out of nowhere! "The Princess of Staten Island" squared up next to Alexa, causing Mickie and Lacey to decide against an attack. Taking a walk instead of fighting, Alexa was relieved to have a help from "Money Mella".

▆▆▆

Michael Cole and Corey Graves turned to talk further about SummerSlam this coming Sunday, merely forty-eight hours away, live on the WWE Network. Discussing each of the matches, graphics appeared on-screen to promote what would be going down at "the Biggest Party of the Summer" - including the newly-announced SmackDown Tag Team Championship defense, and a big tag team match scheduled for the SummerSlam Kickoff Show!
  • WWE Universal Championship - Interdimensional Warfare - The Fiend (c) vs Brother Nero
  • WWE World Championship - Drew McIntyre (c) vs Seth Rollins
  • I Quit match - Randy Orton vs Bobby Lashley
  • SmackDown Women's Championship - Bayley (c) vs Mandy Rose
  • Rey Mysterio vs Andrade - Rey Mysterio's career is on the line
  • WWE Intercontinental Championship - Open Challenge - Daniel Bryan (c) vs TBA
  • RAW Women's Championship - Asuka (c) vs Charlotte Flair
  • SmackDown Tag Team Championship - Heavy Machinery (c) vs The Royal Family (NEW!)
  • WWE United States Championship - Kevin Owens (c) vs AJ Styles
  • The WWE ThunderDome debuts
  • SummerSlam Kickoff Show - Dolph Ziggler and Robert Roode vs Apollo Crews and Mustafa Ali (NEW!)
A graphic aired on-screen, promoting the upcoming match. Friday Night SmackDown on FOX was not done just yet, as Sasha Banks would prove to be the gatekeeper for SummerSlam for Mandy Rose. "The Golden Goddess" would meet "the Legit Boss" - next.

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Michael Cole and Corey Graves broke the news that was just reported via WWE.com moments ago, that there was a time and a place that had been put on Liv Morgan and Ruby Riott's opportunity at the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship. Following the Riott Squad's victory in the Cross-Brand Number One Contenders Women's Tag Team Turmoil match this past week on Monday Night RAW, they would challenge Bayley and Sasha Banks for the gold at WWE Payback - live on the WWE Network one week from Sunday, August 30.

  • Payback - WWE Women's Tag Team Championship - Sasha Banks and SmackDown Women's Champion Bayley (c) vs The Riott Squad
4) Mandy Rose def. WWE Women's Tag Team Champion Sasha Banks (7:56) [THROUGH THE BREAK]
- Following the pep talk from her supportive boyfriend Otis last night at the pier, Mandy Rose went to prove her way into SummerSlam against the SmackDown Women's Champion's best friend Sasha Banks. Bayley joined commentary and protested the decision of management - merely seven days following her SummerSlam title defense, she and Sasha now had to defend the WWE Women's Tag Team Championships against the Riott Squad! Naomi sat on the opposite end of the table, telling "Bayley 2 Belts" she deserved it!
- Mandy Rose and Sasha Banks locked horns, with "the Legit Boss" immediately using her experience to coner "the Golden Goddess". Yet, the challenger resorted to strikes to counteract, going to the second rope to deliver ten punches! Banks attempted a powerbomb, but Mandy backwards rolled onto her feet before dropping Sasha with the fallaway slam. A clothesline led to a charging shoulder tackle taking Banks into the corner, where she locked eyes immediately with the SmackDown Women's Champion. Bayley tried to brush off any semblance of fear she had as far as "the Precious Peach" was concerned, but Mandy left herself open to receiving a Meteora from the second rope! Banks began to stomp away at Rose and choke her with her boot in the corner, before propping Rose over the second rope for the double knees to go executed. "The Boss 'n' Hug Connection" had Mandy where they wanted her!
- Sasha Banks incensed the WWE Universe with the Three Amigos in progress, but Mandy Rose would reverse the third into an inside cradle for a near fall. "The Legit Boss" found herself the recipient of a flapjack, when "the Golden Goddess" kipped up to her feet! On the rebound, Rose delivered the Fall from Grace. Mandy looked to put the WWE Women's Tag Team Champion away with the Goddess Fall, but Banks victory rolled into the Bank Statement! Rose was trapped, but through perserverance she made it to the bottom rope. Bayley was growing increasingly agitated in the ring, as Sasha argued with the referee. She headed to the top rope for the Frog Splash to finish it, but Mandy again kicked out! Sasha turned back to the Bank Statement, but Mandy reversed into a pin for a near fall. Back on their feet, Sasha ducked a clothesline and Rose clocked her with the Kiss from a Rose, to get the win!

Mandy Rose jumped for joy after a monumental victory over one-half of the WWE Women's Tag Team Champions. In two nights, she would have the same opportunity against the other-half of the champs, for the SmackDown Women's Championship at SummerSlam. Enraged by Sasha Banks' loss, Bayley threw her headset down and began to hurl verbal abuse at "the Golden Goddess" from ringside - when Naomi came from behind to send "Bayley 2 Belts" into the ring! Bayley was left to beg for mercy, as Sasha decided to simply stand with her arms folded at ringside: Bayley pleading with Mandy and Naomi only for them to bury them in right hands! Much like "the Legit Boss" was left high and dry last week, tonight was Bayley's turn. Mandy connected with another Kiss from a Rose to the champ, and covered her - and Naomi counted the three! Mandy was prepared for SummerSlam, but were "the Boss 'n' Hug Connection" ready for Payback just one week later?

▆▆▆

Good One
Kayla Braxton
was backstage with the WWE Intercontinental Champion Daniel Bryan. Greeting the broadcast journalist friendily, Kayla wanted to talk about the upcoming SummerSlam Open Challenge "the Submission Expert" had set out for. Asking if Daniel was excited or intimidated, "the Working Man's Champion" told her he wasn't nervous in the least, because he knew too well that whoever came out that night in the WWE ThunderDome would bring their A-game. Bryan said this was hardly his first challenge issued, and it would not be his last. Kayla asked Daniel who he wanted in a challenger, but he said it wasn't about who he wanted. This was about "the Working Man's Title", and what it wanted in a potential holder. Bryan said he was looking for someone with heart, spirit and a fire in his heart, when up walked Fight Night. Applauding Daniel with a loud clap, Sheamus told Daniel it was another epic outing tonight, and he was sure it would be that way this Sunday as well!

Daniel Bryan remained unimpressed by the interruption, as Cesaro continued to wipe his head with a towel. "The Swiss Cyborg" admitted "the Submission Expert" had his number, but he would get him next time. The WWE Intercontinental Champion reluctantly accepted his offer of a handshake, as "the Celtic Warrior" grinned from ear to ear. He always knew deep down there was this greedy little Gus in him, and he was finally starting to embrace it! Laughing at the very idea of what "the Working Man's Title" actually was, he told Daniel that was a good one! Away walked Fight Night, when Shinsuke Nakamura walked past telling his old friend and foe that he always knew he had it in him. Bryan was stumped!

▆▆▆

Backstage, John Morrison walked the hallway in his fur coat and his sunglasses. "The Guru of Greatness" had done this walk countless times in the past, but now was about to wage war with the WWE Universal Champion - an animal like none other. JoMo wanted revenge for an unprovoked attack three weeks ago, but how would he do against The Fiend? The main event was next!

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5) WWE Universal Champion The Fiend def. John Morrison (6:24)
- "The New Face of Fear" interrupted John Morrison with a savage attack weeks ago and "the Guru of Greatness" refused to take that treatment. JoMo was fearless as the WWE Universal Champion made his march to the ring, rushing him on arrival! With everything he had, Morrison was thrown off twice before a dropkick stunned the monster. The hit-and-run strategy worked, when halted with a shoulder block! Fiend growled at "the Shaman of Sexy", stomping at him in the corner. Attempting to bite him, Morrison hoped to fight free, reversing a back suplex into the Flying Chuck! It rocked the champ on his feet, so Morrison attempted it again - just for Fiend to swat him out of the air with a throat thrust. A clawhold was applied on Morrison, who desperately fought it. Fiend transitioned into the Mandible Claw, but John escaped! Using a calf kick and a running knee strike, Fiend dropped to a knee, when Sister Abigail connected out of nowhere! The Mandible Claw was clamped in - forcing him to lose consciousness.

Killing the House
The WWE Universe booed as the Fiend continued to apply the pressure of the Mandible Claw on an unconscious John Morrison! "The New Face of Fear" was heard laughing dementedly through his eerie mask, as the lights would begin to flash red! The WWE Universal Champion was sending a message to Brother Nero, two days from Interdimensional Warfare - when rising up behind him saw Brother Nero appear in the flesh! Face painted black and white, "the Death-Defying Daredevil" would wait for Fiend to turn before storming his adversary with fists flying! The champ throat thrusted his way into dominating in the corner until the former champ responded using a dropkick. The monster was sent from the ring, when Nero hurled himself over the top rope with a plancha - just to be caught by the Mandible Claw! Nero struggled in the grasp of the gloved hand, when Nero chomped at the hand to escape! Grabbing him by the dreadlocks, "the Daredevil" sent Fiend through the plexiglass wall into the crowd!

The WWE Universe around the WWE Universal Champion parted as Brother Nero approached with caution, hopping atop the barricade for a crossbody! The fight continued with a Uranage dropping Nero spine-first on the concrete floor! Revealing a large mallet seemingly from out of thin air, the monster cackled through the mask again as he prepared to crush Nero's skull. Nero evaded it and rushed Fiend - just for himself to be sent crashing through a second column of the plexiglass wall! Tumbling onto the rampway, the Fiend leaped the wall and prepared Sister Abigail on the steel - but Nero fought free! The battle grew up to the stage, with the brawl continuing. Neither wanted to show weakness ahead of Interdimensional Warfare, when Nero speared him through the big screen! Pyrotechnics erupted - but as the smoke cleared and the sparks settled, the camera went to investigate...only to find that Nero and Fiend were nowhere to be seen. The WWE Performance Center sat in ruin, with no sign of either of them - ahead of SummerSlam!


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NXT TAKEOVER XXX – August 22, 2020
Full Sail University in Winter Park, Florida

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"Moth Into Flame" by Metallica
TONIGHT!

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NXT CHAMPIONSHIP - 60-MINUTE IRON MAN MATCH
Finn Bálor
(c) vs Adam Cole

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NXT WOMEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP - TRIPLE THREAT MATCH
Rhea Ripley vs Io Shirai (c) vs Dakota Kai

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NXT NORTH AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIP
Keith Lee
(c) vs Ricky Starks

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Karrion Kross vs Damian Priest


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TRIOS MATCH
Lucha House Party
and TBA vs Legado del Fantasma

Matches to be announced.
 
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WWE SUMMERSLAM 2020 – August 23, 2020
WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida

"You'll Never See It Coming" - "The Biggest Party of the Summer"
"Summer Time!" by def rebel
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TONIGHT!

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WWE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
Drew McIntyre
(c) vs Seth Rollins

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WWE UNIVERSAL CHAMPIONSHIP - INTERDIMENSIONAL WARFARE
The Fiend
(c) vs Brother Nero

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I QUIT MATCH
Randy Orton
vs Bobby Lashley

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REY MYSTERIO'S CAREER IS ON THE LINE
Andrade
vs Rey Mysterio

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RAW WOMEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP
Asuka
(c) vs Charlotte Flair

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SMACKDOWN WOMEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP
Bayley
(c) vs Mandy Rose

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WWE UNITED STATES CHAMPIONSHIP
Kevin Owens (c) vs AJ Styles

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WWE INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP - OPEN CHALLENGE
Daniel Bryan
(c) vs TBA

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SMACKDOWN TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
Heavy Machinery
(c) vs The Royal Family

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SUMMERSLAM KICKOFF SHOW
Mustafa Ali
and Apollo Crews vs Dolph Ziggler and Robert Roode
 
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A very good way to call Johnny Gargano up to the main roster to start the show and a nice use of the IC title on this show. A shock result too as I thought Bryan would retain in a close match but a nice way to put Gargano over and I wonder if this leads to a heel Bryan.

Rey winning was the right call and a fun way to maybe end this feud. I’m also glad he did it clean and no Dom getting involved.

Not much to say on the tag team titles match and it did what it needed to with Heavy Machinery retaining which I think is the right call.

Women’s title match and she was protected in defeat here though would rather Asuka have lost to someone else. Curious where the Nia Jax and Charlotte stuff does though I feel I might be more into if it was someone good. But at the same time I admire that like me you do try to make use of everyone on the roster even Nia Jax

Good title match with Kevin Owens and I like the story of AJ wanting to do it alone.

A good match between Bayley and Mandy Rose plus a good match for Summerslam with how over Mandy Rose and Otis were at that point in real life. You have done so much better than WWE did momentum wise with them. Also Banks teasing the turn on Bayley is intriguing and I have to expect the break up soon.

Seth vs Drew was a banger and what I expected to be the Summerslam match for a while. I think you could go either way on this but Drew having a longer title reign to establish himself is probs the correct call.

Lashley vs Orton was MOTN and felt like a fucking war. Great stuff and the return of Edge was well done.

Main event was the wild spectacle I thought it would be and then we had the real life return of Roman Reigns. Probs one of the only times ending Summerslam on a no contest can work. Guessing we get a repeat of real life here and Roman wins the title at Payback.

Overall very good show and a fun read.