At WWE Extreme Rules 2019, moments after Universal Champion Seth Rollins & Raw Women’s Champion Becky Lynch retained their titles in an Extreme Rules Winners Take All Mixed Tag Team Match against Baron Corbin & Lacey Evans, Brock Lesnar cashed in his Money in the Bank contract and stole The Architect’s title. Plus, The Undertaker & Roman Reigns overcame Shane McMahon & Drew McIntyre in a No Holds Barred Tag Team Match and so much more.
INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONship: Shinsuke Nakamura defeated Intercontinental Champion, Finn Balor. (Kickoff Match)
The King, as they say, has returned.
Just weeks after eyeing Finn Bálor’s Intercontinental Championship during a tense backstage confrontation, Shinsuke Nakamura dethroned the Irishman to begin his first reign with the prestigious title, bringing Bálor’s second stint to an abrupt, stunning end and returning The King of Strong Style to the champions’ club for the first time since he lost the United States Title in January.
Bálor, who lost a non-title tilt to The King of Strong Style this past Tuesday, certainly knew Nakamura had a spring in his step and came out swinging in an attempt to stifle the Japanese striker out of the gate. It might have worked, too, but it became very clear that Nakamura was not about to be denied. WWE’s Rockstar came into this match promising a return to form and delivered on that promise by tenderizing the champion with several brutal knees and elbows, even adding a new wrinkle or two in the form of a sliding, snap German suplex.
The mounting force of the challenger forced Bálor into win-now mode, and the Irishman ascended the top rope to attempt a Coup de Grâce the second he connected with his running dropkick, but Nakamura had more than enough left in the tank to dodge the maneuver. A pair of Kinshasas — one to the back of Bálor’s head and one straight to the face as he staggered to his feet — sealed the victorious effort, the return to form, and a new championship reign. Shinsuke Nakamura may have never left, per se, but it’s safe to say he’s back. (Via WWE.com)
Just weeks after eyeing Finn Bálor’s Intercontinental Championship during a tense backstage confrontation, Shinsuke Nakamura dethroned the Irishman to begin his first reign with the prestigious title, bringing Bálor’s second stint to an abrupt, stunning end and returning The King of Strong Style to the champions’ club for the first time since he lost the United States Title in January.
Bálor, who lost a non-title tilt to The King of Strong Style this past Tuesday, certainly knew Nakamura had a spring in his step and came out swinging in an attempt to stifle the Japanese striker out of the gate. It might have worked, too, but it became very clear that Nakamura was not about to be denied. WWE’s Rockstar came into this match promising a return to form and delivered on that promise by tenderizing the champion with several brutal knees and elbows, even adding a new wrinkle or two in the form of a sliding, snap German suplex.
The mounting force of the challenger forced Bálor into win-now mode, and the Irishman ascended the top rope to attempt a Coup de Grâce the second he connected with his running dropkick, but Nakamura had more than enough left in the tank to dodge the maneuver. A pair of Kinshasas — one to the back of Bálor’s head and one straight to the face as he staggered to his feet — sealed the victorious effort, the return to form, and a new championship reign. Shinsuke Nakamura may have never left, per se, but it’s safe to say he’s back. (Via WWE.com)
WWE Cruiserweight Championship: WWE CRUISERWEIGHT CHAMPION, Drew Gulak defeated Tony Nese. (Kickoff Match)
If there was any kind of asterisk attached to Drew Gulak’s WWE Cruiserweight Title victory last month, it was that he didn’t pin then-champion Tony Nese to achieve it during a Triple Threat Match that also included Akira Tozawa. But the events of Extreme Rules Kickoff put any lingering uncertainties to rest, as Gulak stifled The Premier Athlete in a hard-hitting, one-on-one match to keep his reign alive.
Nese nevertheless put in an impressive performance in the most hostile of territories: Gulak is a proud Philadelphian, and the WWE Universe in attendance had no brotherly love for The Premier Athlete, showering the former champion with vitriol each time he fought his way into the advantage. Nese, who prides himself on in-ring perfection, also wasn’t afraid to switch up his game to a more ugly, effective style: After ruthlessly German suplexing the challenger into the turnbuckles, the champion withstood Nese’s moonsault off the ring post when Nese was strung up in the ropes and fought through the pain of a 450 that saw Nese land knees-first into the titleholder’s sternum.
Gulak, however, was simply unwilling to accept defeat. Gulak’s technical mastery came into play at the end when champion and challenger traded counters on counters (their long history came into play as they each very clearly knew what the other was capable of). Gulak brought the scrap back to his wheelhouse with a simple, yet punishing, stack-up powerbomb, and it was just a short way from there to the Cyclone Crash that ended the match.
Given that Gulak was beginning to get a little wild-eyed right before he administered the devastating maneuver, the message to any future opponents was clear: He’ll accept any challengers and entertain any efforts to defeat him until the second he decides the match is over. From then on, there’s simply nothing to be done. (Via WWE.com)
Nese nevertheless put in an impressive performance in the most hostile of territories: Gulak is a proud Philadelphian, and the WWE Universe in attendance had no brotherly love for The Premier Athlete, showering the former champion with vitriol each time he fought his way into the advantage. Nese, who prides himself on in-ring perfection, also wasn’t afraid to switch up his game to a more ugly, effective style: After ruthlessly German suplexing the challenger into the turnbuckles, the champion withstood Nese’s moonsault off the ring post when Nese was strung up in the ropes and fought through the pain of a 450 that saw Nese land knees-first into the titleholder’s sternum.
Gulak, however, was simply unwilling to accept defeat. Gulak’s technical mastery came into play at the end when champion and challenger traded counters on counters (their long history came into play as they each very clearly knew what the other was capable of). Gulak brought the scrap back to his wheelhouse with a simple, yet punishing, stack-up powerbomb, and it was just a short way from there to the Cyclone Crash that ended the match.
Given that Gulak was beginning to get a little wild-eyed right before he administered the devastating maneuver, the message to any future opponents was clear: He’ll accept any challengers and entertain any efforts to defeat him until the second he decides the match is over. From then on, there’s simply nothing to be done. (Via WWE.com)
The Undertaker & Roman Reigns defeated Shane McMahon & Drew McIntyre. (No Holds Barred Tag Team Match)
During his stint as “Best in the World,” Shane McMahon has made quite a few friends and one particular enemy in The Undertaker, and incurring the wrath of The Phenom was too much of a hill for Shane to climb, even in a No Holds Barred Tag Team Match that saw McMahon team officially with Drew McIntyre and benefit from some underhanded assistance from Elias.
The Undertaker, of course, teamed with Roman Reigns, the ESPY-winning champion who has been the target of McMahon and McIntyre’s ire for months now. And though The Deadman proclaimed that no particular allegiance to The Big Dog brought him into this fight — long story short, Shane simply had it coming — the two former rivals worked in perfect sync during Extreme Rules’ opening bout, with Reigns kicking things off and The Phenom providing the finishing touches. Flitting around the ring with light feet and heavy hands, The Last Outlaw rained blows down on Shane-O-Mac in the corner and went strike-for-strike with McIntyre in a big-man showdown that brought the crowd to its feet.
It was only with the arrival of Elias, the McMahon ally with a long memory, that began to put The Phenom’s performance in doubt. The Living Truth shattered a guitar over The Undertaker’s back as The Deadman was preparing to drive Shane through the announce table, and the interference put the “Graveyard Dogs” in a 3-on-2 disadvantage that had them back on their heels for some time. Not only did McIntyre dispose of Reigns with a Claymore, he helped Elias tee up “The Best in the World” for a Leap of Faith that drove The Undertaker through the announce table, and Shane followed up with a garbage-can assisted Coast-to-Coast that flattened Undertaker’s face.
Of course, The Phenom sat bolt upright after suffering these maneuvers and dished out chokeslams to both Shane and Elias. McIntyre lined up his foe for a Claymore, but Reigns intercepted the Scotsman with a bone-rattling Spear and fed Shane-O-Mac into a final Tombstone Piledriver for the win.
Whether the loss is enough to humble Shane remains to be seen, but this match certainly showcased the best of everyone involved: Team Shane talked a good game and exploited every rule to back it up. Reigns stood his ground and fought straight-up, refusing to back down. And The Undertaker, having risen as both avenging force and cosmic course-corrector, did what any reaper does when he comes upon a wayward soul: He sent them home. (Via WWE.com)
The Undertaker, of course, teamed with Roman Reigns, the ESPY-winning champion who has been the target of McMahon and McIntyre’s ire for months now. And though The Deadman proclaimed that no particular allegiance to The Big Dog brought him into this fight — long story short, Shane simply had it coming — the two former rivals worked in perfect sync during Extreme Rules’ opening bout, with Reigns kicking things off and The Phenom providing the finishing touches. Flitting around the ring with light feet and heavy hands, The Last Outlaw rained blows down on Shane-O-Mac in the corner and went strike-for-strike with McIntyre in a big-man showdown that brought the crowd to its feet.
It was only with the arrival of Elias, the McMahon ally with a long memory, that began to put The Phenom’s performance in doubt. The Living Truth shattered a guitar over The Undertaker’s back as The Deadman was preparing to drive Shane through the announce table, and the interference put the “Graveyard Dogs” in a 3-on-2 disadvantage that had them back on their heels for some time. Not only did McIntyre dispose of Reigns with a Claymore, he helped Elias tee up “The Best in the World” for a Leap of Faith that drove The Undertaker through the announce table, and Shane followed up with a garbage-can assisted Coast-to-Coast that flattened Undertaker’s face.
Of course, The Phenom sat bolt upright after suffering these maneuvers and dished out chokeslams to both Shane and Elias. McIntyre lined up his foe for a Claymore, but Reigns intercepted the Scotsman with a bone-rattling Spear and fed Shane-O-Mac into a final Tombstone Piledriver for the win.
Whether the loss is enough to humble Shane remains to be seen, but this match certainly showcased the best of everyone involved: Team Shane talked a good game and exploited every rule to back it up. Reigns stood his ground and fought straight-up, refusing to back down. And The Undertaker, having risen as both avenging force and cosmic course-corrector, did what any reaper does when he comes upon a wayward soul: He sent them home. (Via WWE.com)
RAW Tag Team Championship: RAW TAG TEAM CHAMPIONs, The Revival defeated The Usos.
Seven-time will have to wait for The Usos. Jimmy & Jey were brutally rebuffed by the Raw Tag Team Champions, who put on a classic-style clinic to deny their longtime rivals a seventh reign with tag team gold.
If there was any type of Superstar that could conceivably thwart Dash & Dawson’s throwback style of competition, it was The Usos, who are just as likely to administer a barrage of superkicks and suicide dives as they are wristlocks and punches. Indeed, the match began as a battle of old school vs. new school, with Dash & Dawson using every trick in the storied tag team books — they pulled moves from Demolition and Power and Glory, while also using the ref to their advantage in the wheelin’-dealin’ style of The Four Horsemen when they distracted him from an Uso tag.
The Usos, meanwhile, simply brawled their way out of the hole, countering each of Dash & Dawson’s carefully-planned maneuvers with the freewheeling, high-flying style that made them six-time Tag Team Champions. It seemed that would be enough, as they had the champs lined up for a double-suicide dive … but Scott Dawson yanked Jey Uso out of the ring by his ankles, and legal man Dash Wilder went to work, planting Jimmy with a step-up tornado DDT and rope-a-doping his way into position for a Shatter Machine from the “Top Guys” that ended the match and kept their reign alive.
The Usos will leave Philadelphia licking their wounds and taking consolation where they can find it: Nobody watching this match could deny that they’re as good as they say they are. The same, of course, goes for The Revival, who compare themselves to the greats and back it up in the most important way possible: They just keep winning. (Via WWE.com)
If there was any type of Superstar that could conceivably thwart Dash & Dawson’s throwback style of competition, it was The Usos, who are just as likely to administer a barrage of superkicks and suicide dives as they are wristlocks and punches. Indeed, the match began as a battle of old school vs. new school, with Dash & Dawson using every trick in the storied tag team books — they pulled moves from Demolition and Power and Glory, while also using the ref to their advantage in the wheelin’-dealin’ style of The Four Horsemen when they distracted him from an Uso tag.
The Usos, meanwhile, simply brawled their way out of the hole, countering each of Dash & Dawson’s carefully-planned maneuvers with the freewheeling, high-flying style that made them six-time Tag Team Champions. It seemed that would be enough, as they had the champs lined up for a double-suicide dive … but Scott Dawson yanked Jey Uso out of the ring by his ankles, and legal man Dash Wilder went to work, planting Jimmy with a step-up tornado DDT and rope-a-doping his way into position for a Shatter Machine from the “Top Guys” that ended the match and kept their reign alive.
The Usos will leave Philadelphia licking their wounds and taking consolation where they can find it: Nobody watching this match could deny that they’re as good as they say they are. The same, of course, goes for The Revival, who compare themselves to the greats and back it up in the most important way possible: They just keep winning. (Via WWE.com)
Aleister Black defeated Cesaro.
In the three months since WrestleMania, Aleister Black has spent his SmackDown career locked in a room, waiting for someone to seek him out for a fight. Raw’s Cesaro answered, and it’s safe to say both Superstars got the brawl they wanted out of the impromptu challenge. But it was Black who got the win, downing The Swiss Cyborg after a furious back-and-forth that featured just as much psychological warfare as it did in-ring excellence: Cesaro showed no respect to The Ominous Man From Amsterdam, going for the Neutralizer almost immediately and mocking the former NXT Champion’s contemplative, cross-legged taunt.
Black, however, did not allow himself to be rattled, focusing the full scope of his offense on kicking the former United States Champion in the thigh in an attempt to sap Cesaro of his strength. It seemed, for a while, like it wouldn’t work: Cesaro blasted Black with every variation of European uppercut, leaving The Dutch Destroyer seeing stars and kicking out by the skin of his teeth. The strategy paid dividends down the line, but Cesaro answered by switching to submissions, a ground game that the strike-based Black struggled to find an answer for.
Find an answer, however, he did. With his strength beginning to wear down, Black turned instead to his speed, unleashing a flurry of quick strikes that the more methodical Cesaro was unable to rally in time to answer. It was all Cesaro could do to block one of Black’s high knee strikes, but he had barely lowered his hands before The Dutch Destroyer whirled around and connected with a savage Black Mass kick to the jaw. Cesaro dropped like a rock, Black made the cover, and the battle was over. Should The Dutch Destroyer opt to return to his room, however, might we suggest leaving the door open for Cesaro, or whoever else decides to walk through? Fights like these are too good to live without. (Via WWE.com)
Black, however, did not allow himself to be rattled, focusing the full scope of his offense on kicking the former United States Champion in the thigh in an attempt to sap Cesaro of his strength. It seemed, for a while, like it wouldn’t work: Cesaro blasted Black with every variation of European uppercut, leaving The Dutch Destroyer seeing stars and kicking out by the skin of his teeth. The strategy paid dividends down the line, but Cesaro answered by switching to submissions, a ground game that the strike-based Black struggled to find an answer for.
Find an answer, however, he did. With his strength beginning to wear down, Black turned instead to his speed, unleashing a flurry of quick strikes that the more methodical Cesaro was unable to rally in time to answer. It was all Cesaro could do to block one of Black’s high knee strikes, but he had barely lowered his hands before The Dutch Destroyer whirled around and connected with a savage Black Mass kick to the jaw. Cesaro dropped like a rock, Black made the cover, and the battle was over. Should The Dutch Destroyer opt to return to his room, however, might we suggest leaving the door open for Cesaro, or whoever else decides to walk through? Fights like these are too good to live without. (Via WWE.com)
SmackDown Women's Championship: SMACKDOWN WOMEN'S CHAMPION, Bayley defeated Alexa BLiss & Nikki Cross. (2-on-1 Handicap Match)
The alliance between Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross once again ran into a Bayley-shaped wall at WWE Extreme Rules, where The Huggable One thwarted not one but both of her rivals in one of her grittiest, finest performances to retain the SmackDown Women’s Title.
It would take nothing less than that type of effort to turn around what Corey Graves dubbed an “unwinnable situation”: Whatever you think of their partnership or the motivations behind it, Bliss and Cross have been in near-perfect sync lately, while Bayley is decidedly friendless and outgunned. To her detriment, she also seemed more preoccupied with Nikki than Alexa: The Huggable One straight-up missed a tag by Bliss and continued to focus her attack on The Twisted Sister, allowing Bliss to shove the champ into the ring post and turn the tide of the match.
But the famously positive Bayley responded to the disadvantage with a flurry of offense that took everyone in the building by surprise, showering Bliss with clubbing blows to the back before turning around for an immediate suicide crossbody to Nikki. She even got into the submission game, vining Nikki’s legs in an Indian Deathlock while wrenching Bliss back in a crossface at the same time.
Shockingly, it was Bliss & Cross who found themselves scrambling for their footing, and they went high-risk, high-reward in an attempt to put the match away in the form of a Twisted Bliss from Alexa. Unfortunately for them, Bayley blocked Bliss with her knees and chopped Nikki out of the sky with another knee to the Scot’s chin before following up with a flying elbow drop that put Nikki down for the three-count.
It was, in every sense of the word, a perfect showing by the SmackDown Women’s Champion, as well as a rebuke to the distraught duo who insisted The Huggable One couldn’t beat them without a friend. Clearly, they forgot who they were dealing with: Bayley did just fine on her own. (Via WWE.com)
It would take nothing less than that type of effort to turn around what Corey Graves dubbed an “unwinnable situation”: Whatever you think of their partnership or the motivations behind it, Bliss and Cross have been in near-perfect sync lately, while Bayley is decidedly friendless and outgunned. To her detriment, she also seemed more preoccupied with Nikki than Alexa: The Huggable One straight-up missed a tag by Bliss and continued to focus her attack on The Twisted Sister, allowing Bliss to shove the champ into the ring post and turn the tide of the match.
But the famously positive Bayley responded to the disadvantage with a flurry of offense that took everyone in the building by surprise, showering Bliss with clubbing blows to the back before turning around for an immediate suicide crossbody to Nikki. She even got into the submission game, vining Nikki’s legs in an Indian Deathlock while wrenching Bliss back in a crossface at the same time.
Shockingly, it was Bliss & Cross who found themselves scrambling for their footing, and they went high-risk, high-reward in an attempt to put the match away in the form of a Twisted Bliss from Alexa. Unfortunately for them, Bayley blocked Bliss with her knees and chopped Nikki out of the sky with another knee to the Scot’s chin before following up with a flying elbow drop that put Nikki down for the three-count.
It was, in every sense of the word, a perfect showing by the SmackDown Women’s Champion, as well as a rebuke to the distraught duo who insisted The Huggable One couldn’t beat them without a friend. Clearly, they forgot who they were dealing with: Bayley did just fine on her own. (Via WWE.com)
Braun Strowman defeated Bobby Lashley. (Last Man Standing Match)
What does it take to keep Bobby Lashley down for a count of 10? Braun Strowman wouldn’t leave WWE Extreme Rules without finding out. The Monster Among Men made a turn to his chaotic, destructive form in a Last Man Standing Match, subjecting his foe to all manner of otherworldly punishment in the birthplace of extreme to walk out of Philadelphia with a hard-earned win.
This isn’t to say that Strowman simply waltzed his way into Philly, hit Lashley with a couple of chairs and ended up with the “W.” The All Mighty gave as good as he got, and it quickly became clear that Strowman was not quite 100 percent as he continued to recover from a crash through the LED board two weeks ago. Strowman’s reported injuries varied from a ruptured spleen to a separated pelvis; whatever maladies plague The Monster Among Men, Lashley knew to target the midsection and did so with an early Spear that dropped his foe and left Strowman struggling as the match spilled through the arena and into the concourse.
Lashley largely maintained control throughout most of the match; save for a few moments where Braun fired back, The All Mighty kept his focus on his foe’s midsection and reaped the benefits. At one point, he charged Strowman over the announce table and entombed him beneath it, though the strategy only kept Braun down for a count of nine.
The Monster Among Men found better footing when the match spilled back into the arena, launching Lashley over the international announce row with such velocity that he took out a pair of commentators and battling The All Mighty up the steps of the concourse. Lashley, ever defiant, channeled his inner EC-Dub by daring Strowman to keep hitting him — thank you, may I have another — but it was yet another all-or-nothing maneuver by The Monster Among Men that finally turned the tide: After battling to the edge of an entrance tunnel that had been blocked off for construction, Strowman hoisted The All Mighty on his shoulders, jumped off the ledge and Powerslammed him through the tunnel all in one motion, leaving both men trapped in the rubble and beyond visibility.
Referee John Cone dutifully began the count, making it as far as seven or eight before the victor emerged: Strowman blasted his way through the front of the blocked-off area with his bare fists, leaving Lashley down and marching his way into victory. All of this isn’t to say Lashley didn’t make it hard or that Strowman didn’t look worse for wear. But at the end of the day, one man was standing, and one man wasn’t. Nothing else needs to be said. (Via WWE.com)
This isn’t to say that Strowman simply waltzed his way into Philly, hit Lashley with a couple of chairs and ended up with the “W.” The All Mighty gave as good as he got, and it quickly became clear that Strowman was not quite 100 percent as he continued to recover from a crash through the LED board two weeks ago. Strowman’s reported injuries varied from a ruptured spleen to a separated pelvis; whatever maladies plague The Monster Among Men, Lashley knew to target the midsection and did so with an early Spear that dropped his foe and left Strowman struggling as the match spilled through the arena and into the concourse.
Lashley largely maintained control throughout most of the match; save for a few moments where Braun fired back, The All Mighty kept his focus on his foe’s midsection and reaped the benefits. At one point, he charged Strowman over the announce table and entombed him beneath it, though the strategy only kept Braun down for a count of nine.
The Monster Among Men found better footing when the match spilled back into the arena, launching Lashley over the international announce row with such velocity that he took out a pair of commentators and battling The All Mighty up the steps of the concourse. Lashley, ever defiant, channeled his inner EC-Dub by daring Strowman to keep hitting him — thank you, may I have another — but it was yet another all-or-nothing maneuver by The Monster Among Men that finally turned the tide: After battling to the edge of an entrance tunnel that had been blocked off for construction, Strowman hoisted The All Mighty on his shoulders, jumped off the ledge and Powerslammed him through the tunnel all in one motion, leaving both men trapped in the rubble and beyond visibility.
Referee John Cone dutifully began the count, making it as far as seven or eight before the victor emerged: Strowman blasted his way through the front of the blocked-off area with his bare fists, leaving Lashley down and marching his way into victory. All of this isn’t to say Lashley didn’t make it hard or that Strowman didn’t look worse for wear. But at the end of the day, one man was standing, and one man wasn’t. Nothing else needs to be said. (Via WWE.com)
SmackDown Tag Team Championship: The New Day defeated Heavy Machinery & SMACKDOWN TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS, "The New" Daniel Bryan & Rowan.
Could it be? Could The New Day end WWE Extreme Rules with titles around each and every one of their swiveling waists? That question still depends on Kofi Kingston’s bout with Samoa Joe, but Big E & Xavier Woods certainly did as they promised by winning the “W. W. E. Smack. Down. Tag. Team. Championships!!!”in a wild Triple Threat Match that also included Heavy Machinery and the now-former titleholders, Daniel Bryan& Rowan.
The match couldn’t have ended up worse for “The Planet’s Champions,” and not just because they lost the titles: Not only did New Day score the deciding fall against the titleholders, Bryan & Rowan’s insistence that none of their challengers could possibly measure up was proven wrong time and time again long before the fateful maneuver that put Bryan down. Whether it was Bryan’s technical know-how or Rowan’s overwhelming, big-man power, the challengers rose to the (lofty) occasion at every turn to keep the champs on their toes. Heavy Machinery continued their long coming-out party with an impressive stretch of offense that left every single one of their opponents down outside the ring. If not for a timely tag by Bryan in the midst of a Tower of Doom, the Blue Collar Solid hosses might have left Philly with all the goods.
But unfortunately, that same Tower of Doom took Otis & Tucker out of the running, leaving Bryan to try his luck against Big E. The Beard proved to be a scrappy foe despite the size difference, torqueing E up in a modified LeBell Lock that seemingly turned every single one of the big man’s limbs inside out. His barrage of kicks, however, did nothing except fire up his sizeable challenger; a wild-eyed E rose from his knee, demanded Bryan lay as many slaps in as he could, and simply snatched the champion out of the air and onto his shoulders. Xavier Woods, revved up beyond all possible recognition, took flight off the turnbuckle and connected with the Midnight Hour to claim New Day’s sixth Tag Team Championship. Will they keep the WWE Championship in their ranks as well? There’s plenty of unicorn magic left in this team. All they need now is a miracle. (Via WWE.com)
The match couldn’t have ended up worse for “The Planet’s Champions,” and not just because they lost the titles: Not only did New Day score the deciding fall against the titleholders, Bryan & Rowan’s insistence that none of their challengers could possibly measure up was proven wrong time and time again long before the fateful maneuver that put Bryan down. Whether it was Bryan’s technical know-how or Rowan’s overwhelming, big-man power, the challengers rose to the (lofty) occasion at every turn to keep the champs on their toes. Heavy Machinery continued their long coming-out party with an impressive stretch of offense that left every single one of their opponents down outside the ring. If not for a timely tag by Bryan in the midst of a Tower of Doom, the Blue Collar Solid hosses might have left Philly with all the goods.
But unfortunately, that same Tower of Doom took Otis & Tucker out of the running, leaving Bryan to try his luck against Big E. The Beard proved to be a scrappy foe despite the size difference, torqueing E up in a modified LeBell Lock that seemingly turned every single one of the big man’s limbs inside out. His barrage of kicks, however, did nothing except fire up his sizeable challenger; a wild-eyed E rose from his knee, demanded Bryan lay as many slaps in as he could, and simply snatched the champion out of the air and onto his shoulders. Xavier Woods, revved up beyond all possible recognition, took flight off the turnbuckle and connected with the Midnight Hour to claim New Day’s sixth Tag Team Championship. Will they keep the WWE Championship in their ranks as well? There’s plenty of unicorn magic left in this team. All they need now is a miracle. (Via WWE.com)
United States Championship: AJ Styles (with Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson) defeated UNITED STATES CHAMPION, Ricochet.
Ricochet was right: To defeat AJ Styles and retain the United States Championship, he had to withstand The Phenomenal One and his cohorts in The Club, Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson. But thanks for some canny timing by The Good Brothers, Ricochet didn’t have to do so until he had been worn down by the effort of a battle gone long, and by the time they came calling, he simply didn’t have enough in the tank to recover.
There was also a paranoia factor of sorts at play in this epic, back-and-forth battle between two of WWE’s most talented Superstars: Gallows & Anderson initially jumped Ricochet briefly before the bell — Styles quickly waved them off — and spent the rest of the match lurking around the ring. That they didn’t get involved at the time played to Styles’ favor nonetheless; each time the champion got rolling, he’d have to turn around and make sure no one was sneaking up on him, giving The Phenomenal One time to bounce back.
Ricochet eventually nipped the problem in the bud by swooping down on The Good Brothers and taking them both out at once, allowing him to battle Styles all by himself. The champion was as advertised in the epic match, attacking Styles by land and by air in equal measure; The Phenomenal One, too, lived up to his reputation by thinking up counters and reversals to nearly everything Ricochet threw at him. As the match went long, Gallows & Anderson recovered and began to get involved. It was innocuous at first — Anderson just pointed out Styles’ foot was under the ropes during a pinfall in a reversal of a near-fall a couple of weeks ago — but the former Raw Tag Team Champions made their move in a more aggressive capacity moments later.
Ricochet, of course, was ready, taking out Anderson on the apron and sending him tumbling into the ring. While the ref was preoccupied, Gallows tripped the champion up on the turnbuckle, thwarting what was looking to be an attempt at a 630. Styles capitalized, dropping the champion with a Super Styles Clash that was more than enough to earn him the three-count and the United States Championship.
The resulting tableau was a tale of two Superstars, with Ricochet writhing in defeat and disappointment, while The Club posed victorious with their new prize. That’s how it goes, though: One man’s defeat is another man’s triumph; one man’s loss is another man’s gain; and one man’s disappointment is another man’s sweetness. (Via WWE.com)
There was also a paranoia factor of sorts at play in this epic, back-and-forth battle between two of WWE’s most talented Superstars: Gallows & Anderson initially jumped Ricochet briefly before the bell — Styles quickly waved them off — and spent the rest of the match lurking around the ring. That they didn’t get involved at the time played to Styles’ favor nonetheless; each time the champion got rolling, he’d have to turn around and make sure no one was sneaking up on him, giving The Phenomenal One time to bounce back.
Ricochet eventually nipped the problem in the bud by swooping down on The Good Brothers and taking them both out at once, allowing him to battle Styles all by himself. The champion was as advertised in the epic match, attacking Styles by land and by air in equal measure; The Phenomenal One, too, lived up to his reputation by thinking up counters and reversals to nearly everything Ricochet threw at him. As the match went long, Gallows & Anderson recovered and began to get involved. It was innocuous at first — Anderson just pointed out Styles’ foot was under the ropes during a pinfall in a reversal of a near-fall a couple of weeks ago — but the former Raw Tag Team Champions made their move in a more aggressive capacity moments later.
Ricochet, of course, was ready, taking out Anderson on the apron and sending him tumbling into the ring. While the ref was preoccupied, Gallows tripped the champion up on the turnbuckle, thwarting what was looking to be an attempt at a 630. Styles capitalized, dropping the champion with a Super Styles Clash that was more than enough to earn him the three-count and the United States Championship.
The resulting tableau was a tale of two Superstars, with Ricochet writhing in defeat and disappointment, while The Club posed victorious with their new prize. That’s how it goes, though: One man’s defeat is another man’s triumph; one man’s loss is another man’s gain; and one man’s disappointment is another man’s sweetness. (Via WWE.com)
Kevin Owens defeated Dolph Ziggler.
Kevin Owens defeated Dolph Ziggler in a matter of seconds via Stunner. And then, he shoveled dirt on Shane McMahon’s newly-dug grave.
Moments after pinning The Showoff — who slapped Owens in the face to tee up his own instantaneous defeat — the former Universal Champion grabbed hold of the mic to continue the anti-Shane crusade he began on this past week’s SmackDown LIVE. Realizing that The Undertaker’s Tombstone had incapacitated Shane and spared Owens the suspension or firing he’d been expecting, KO not only refused to recant but stood by his previous comments. He also added a new one: “I know I speak for myself, everyone in the locker room, everybody in this arena and everyone watching at home when I say: Shane McMahon can kiss my a** and go straight to hell.” (Via WWE.com)
Moments after pinning The Showoff — who slapped Owens in the face to tee up his own instantaneous defeat — the former Universal Champion grabbed hold of the mic to continue the anti-Shane crusade he began on this past week’s SmackDown LIVE. Realizing that The Undertaker’s Tombstone had incapacitated Shane and spared Owens the suspension or firing he’d been expecting, KO not only refused to recant but stood by his previous comments. He also added a new one: “I know I speak for myself, everyone in the locker room, everybody in this arena and everyone watching at home when I say: Shane McMahon can kiss my a** and go straight to hell.” (Via WWE.com)
Someday, Kofi Kingston’s objectively brave decision to accept every challenge that comes his way might just spell the end of his WWE Championship reign. But not today, baby.
The magic didn’t just continue for Kingston, who outlasted a cruel Samoa Joe to retain his title; it was renewed in a major way for The New Day as a whole: With Kofi’s victory as well as Big E & Xavier Woods’ Tag Team Title win earlier in the night, the trio left Philly with championships in their clutches in defiance of the every single odd stacked against them.
Kofi mounted a defense that was entirely an act of defiance: Joe wasn’t just out to defeat the champion but to demoralize him, though Kingston did not allow himself to be shaken. When The Samoan Submission Machine mangled Kofi’s fingers — payback for an offending gesture a couple of SmackDowns ago — the champion simply raised the other one. Whenever Joe seemingly disregarded his opponent as small-time or dead in the water, Kofi roared back and refused to stay down. And when Joe thought himself safe, Kofi struck, uncorking a Trouble in Paradise that caught Joe the second he bounced off the ropes.
Question his willingness to battle everyone who wants a piece of him; it’s certainly taken its toll. Question his luck if you must; he’s certainly had a little bit of it along the way. But if you continue to question Kofi Kingston as WWE Champion, you simply haven’t been paying attention. It’s a lesson Samoa Joe learned the hard way tonight. He isn’t the first. And the way things are going, he likely won’t be the last. (Via WWE.com)
The magic didn’t just continue for Kingston, who outlasted a cruel Samoa Joe to retain his title; it was renewed in a major way for The New Day as a whole: With Kofi’s victory as well as Big E & Xavier Woods’ Tag Team Title win earlier in the night, the trio left Philly with championships in their clutches in defiance of the every single odd stacked against them.
Kofi mounted a defense that was entirely an act of defiance: Joe wasn’t just out to defeat the champion but to demoralize him, though Kingston did not allow himself to be shaken. When The Samoan Submission Machine mangled Kofi’s fingers — payback for an offending gesture a couple of SmackDowns ago — the champion simply raised the other one. Whenever Joe seemingly disregarded his opponent as small-time or dead in the water, Kofi roared back and refused to stay down. And when Joe thought himself safe, Kofi struck, uncorking a Trouble in Paradise that caught Joe the second he bounced off the ropes.
Question his willingness to battle everyone who wants a piece of him; it’s certainly taken its toll. Question his luck if you must; he’s certainly had a little bit of it along the way. But if you continue to question Kofi Kingston as WWE Champion, you simply haven’t been paying attention. It’s a lesson Samoa Joe learned the hard way tonight. He isn’t the first. And the way things are going, he likely won’t be the last. (Via WWE.com)
WWE Universal & RAW Women's Championship: WWE Universal Champion, Seth Rollins & RAW Women's Champion, Becky Lynch defeated Baron Corbin & Lacey Evans. (Extreme Rules Mixed Tag Team Match)
WWE Universal Championship: Brock Lesnar (with Paul Heyman) defeated WWE UNIVERSAL CHAMPION, Seth Rollins. (Money in the Bank Cash-in)
Love won, but Brock Lesnar conquered: Moments after Raw’s resident power couple Seth Rollins & Becky Lynch dispatched Baron Corbin & Lacey Evans — their longtime challengers for the Universal and Raw Women’s Titles, respectively — in savage fashion during Extreme Rules’ Mixed Tag Team Match main event, The Beast Incarnate reared his head to prey on Rollins, cash in his Money in the Bank contract and relieve The Beastslayer of the Universal Championship.
As far as time and place is concerned, Lesnar picked his moment perfectly. Not only had Paul Heyman stoked the fires with another will-he-or-won’t-he tease earlier in the night, but Rollins had truly been through a physical and emotional gauntlet during the Extreme Rules main event, which blurred the Mixed Tag rules— men can only battle men and women can only battle women — that would both persist throughout the match and — from the beginning to the end. Not only did Lacey Evans get a few moves in on The Beastslayer, but Becky Lynch wasn’t afraid to lay into Corbin when the situation warranted. It was an End of Days from Corbin to Lynch, however, that caused Rollins to snap. Egged on by Corbin’s taunt — “What are you gonna do about it?” — The Architect lost full semblance of control, raining blows on his challengers back with a Kendo stick and steel chair before administering three Stomps to pin The Lone Wolf. (A stricken Evans got out while the getting was good, backing slowly up the ramp.)
His victory was short-lived, as Lesnar’s music hit almost immediately and The Conqueror strolled through the curtain, Heyman at his side and contract in hand. Torn between standing his guard and coming to the aid of Lynch, who was stirring at ringside, Rollins was easy prey for a pair of German Suplexes, at which point the cash-in was called in earnest and Lesnar administered a single F-5 to pin Rollins and retain his championship. Extreme Rules ended with Lesnar strolling up the ramp, his long-shot plan to regain the title having come to full fruition; Rollins, meanwhile, stared blankly at the mat. The good news, for him at least, is that Corbin & Evans didn’t succeed in tearing him and Lynch apart. His relationship is safe. His championship, however, is gone. (Via WWE.com)
As far as time and place is concerned, Lesnar picked his moment perfectly. Not only had Paul Heyman stoked the fires with another will-he-or-won’t-he tease earlier in the night, but Rollins had truly been through a physical and emotional gauntlet during the Extreme Rules main event, which blurred the Mixed Tag rules— men can only battle men and women can only battle women — that would both persist throughout the match and — from the beginning to the end. Not only did Lacey Evans get a few moves in on The Beastslayer, but Becky Lynch wasn’t afraid to lay into Corbin when the situation warranted. It was an End of Days from Corbin to Lynch, however, that caused Rollins to snap. Egged on by Corbin’s taunt — “What are you gonna do about it?” — The Architect lost full semblance of control, raining blows on his challengers back with a Kendo stick and steel chair before administering three Stomps to pin The Lone Wolf. (A stricken Evans got out while the getting was good, backing slowly up the ramp.)
His victory was short-lived, as Lesnar’s music hit almost immediately and The Conqueror strolled through the curtain, Heyman at his side and contract in hand. Torn between standing his guard and coming to the aid of Lynch, who was stirring at ringside, Rollins was easy prey for a pair of German Suplexes, at which point the cash-in was called in earnest and Lesnar administered a single F-5 to pin Rollins and retain his championship. Extreme Rules ended with Lesnar strolling up the ramp, his long-shot plan to regain the title having come to full fruition; Rollins, meanwhile, stared blankly at the mat. The good news, for him at least, is that Corbin & Evans didn’t succeed in tearing him and Lynch apart. His relationship is safe. His championship, however, is gone. (Via WWE.com)