– WWE Hall of Famer Booker T is returning to WWE’s flagship show, Monday Night RAW, soon.
If you recall, the last time that we saw the former World Champion on WWE television was last month when he filled in for Jonathan Coachman.
Now, Booker T will be replacing Coachman once again for next week’s episode of RAW as the sports entertainment company tapes the show in London, England at the O2 Arena. As of this writing, there’s no word yet on why Coachman is off next week.
– As seen on this week’s episode of Monday Night RAW in Uniondale, NY at the Nassau Coliseum on the USA Network, Ember Moon defeated Sasha Banks and Ruby Riott in a Triple Threat qualifying match for the Money in the Bank ladder match that takes place at the upcoming pay-per-view event next month.
RAW Women’s Champion Nia Jax took to Twitter to send a warning to the rest of the competitors that will be in the match:
Public officials from Orange County, Florida are looking to bring WrestleMania to Orlando for a third time.
ClickOrlando.com reports that the a vote is scheduled for Tuesday that would earmark $1 million in spending to bring WrestleMania back to Orlando in 2023 or 2025. There will also be a vote to spend another $2 million to host the Special Olympic Games in 2022.
Last year’s WrestleMania 33 from Orlando brought approximately $150 million to the local economy. WWE has a strong relationship with the city of Orlando, which plays home to the company’s world-class talent development Performance Center.
Orlando is not the only city hoping to secure WrestleMania in 2023 and 2025. Less than a week ago, Tampa Bay Sports Commission Executive Director Rob Higgins announced his city would be submitting a bid to bring WrestleMania to Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium in 2023, ’24 or ’25.
Cities competing for the right the host WrestleMania is nothing new, but it’s interesting to see negotiations are underway for an event that’s won’t be taking place for another 7 years.
205 Live tonight takes place from the Royal Farms Arena in Baltimore, Maryland. Two matches have been announced for the show thus far. The main event features a single’s match between two top contenders. We will also get a match in the burgeoning cruiserweight tag-team division tonight.
205 Live Preview (8/5/18)
Mustafa Ali vs Buddy Murphy
Mustafa Ali and Buddy Murphy will meet in 1-on-1 action tonight.
Ali is coming off a loss to Cedric Alexander at WrestleMania 34 and is looking to get back in the title picture.
As for Buddy Murphy, he returned to 205 Live recently after being absent for several weeks due to missing weight.
Murphy had originally earned the right to challenge Alexander for the cruiserweight championship but 205 Live General Manager, Drake Maverick, rescinded it after Murphy failed to make weight.
While Maverick hasn’t specifically said as such, the winner of this match could easily be the next to challenge Cedric Alexander for the WWE cruiserweight championship. Drew Gulak, who defeated Kalisto last week, could also be in the running, however.
As for the champion, Cedric Alexander’s most recent title defense came against Kalisto at the Greatest Royal Rumble in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
The Brian Kendrick & Jack Gallagher vs. the Lucha House Party (Lince Dorado & Gran Metalik)
We will also get another preview of the pending cruiserweight tag-team division tonight, as the Lucha house party will take on the team of the Brian Kendrick and Jack Gallagher.
Last week, Gallagher and Kendrick defeated Hideo Itami and Akira Tozawa. Following the match, Itami and Tozawa got into an argument. It’s possible the team of Itami and Tozawa will be broken up before the tag titles are even introduced.
As for the Lucha house party, their stablemate Kalisto was the last to challenge Cedric Alexander. Kalisto won a gauntlet match to earn the right to challenge for the title. He then lost to Gulak in single’s action last week.
Both of these teams will be looking to rise up the rankings before cruiserweight titles are finally introduced.
The May 7th, 2018 episode of WWE RAW aired live from the Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, New York. The show featured qualifying matches for WWE Money in the Bank in six weeks. Here are 10 takeaways from this week’s episode of RAW:
Braun Strowman Qualified For The Men’s MITB Ladder Match
Photo Credit: @WWE on Twitter
RAW GM Kurt Angle kicked off this week’s RAW and came down to the ring. Angle brought up the upcoming Money in the Bank PPV. Kurt announced that there will be two MITB Ladder Matches, one for the men and for the women on both RAW and SmackDown. He added that there will be two qualifying matches tonight for MITB. Ember Moon, Ruby Riott and Sasha Banks will battle in a Triple Threat Match. The second qualifying match will be Roman Reigns, Finn Balor and Sami Zayn.
Braun Strowman’s music hit and the Monster Among Men marched down to the ring. Strowman grabbed a mic as the crowd chanted “get these hands!”. Strowman told a story about knocking down a tree with all the neighborhood kids in it when he was young because they didn’t let him in the treehouse. Angle noted that Strowman does deserve an opportunity at MITB, but was quickly interrupted by Kevin Owens.
Owens claimed that he deserved to be in the Ladder Match because he is RAW’s MVP. He said that he anchors RAW’s highest rated segments and that he respects the rules, unlike Strowman. Owens stated that last night’s decision should be reversed because the wrong Superstar was pinned. Owens added that last night’s decision should be reversed and that he should be placed in the MITB Ladder Match.
Angle said that Braun Strowman will have a qualifying match for MITB. Angle bitched about not being placed in the match and claimed that Stephanie McMahon is watching. Owens stated that it would be smart of Angle to announce that he is the first RAW Superstar to be in the MITB Ladder Match. Angle came up with a better idea and announced that Kevin Owens will face Braun Strowman in a MITB qualifying match right now.
Braun Strowman beatdown Kevin Owens to start off the match and whipped him into the turnbuckle. Braun connected with a right hand that sent Owens tumbling to the floor outside the ring. Braun got out of the ring and grabbed Owens by the throat as he tried to escape over the barricade. Owens countered with a Tornado DDT off the barricade and then rolled in the ring so that the referee would start counting.
Strowman got into the ring to beat the count and Owens put his head in his hands out of frustration. Strowman decked Owens with a Clothesline and then charged at Kevin in the corner. Owens rolled out of the way and Strowman crashed into the ring post and fell to the floor outside the ring. Braun beat the count once again and got back into the ring as RAW went to a commercial break.
When RAW returned, Strowman was in control and he planted Owens with a Chokeslam. Owens battled back and booted Strowman in the face. Owens followed it up with a Senton for a one count. Braun got back up and hit a big boot. Owens responded with a Superkick and then a Frog Splash for a two count. Owens went for the Pop-Up Powerbomb, but Strowman blocked it and connected with another Clothesline.
KO rolled out of the ring but got absolutely leveled with a ridiculous shoulder tackle. Strowman jogged around the ring and hit another shoulder tackle on Owens. Strowman then hit a third one that turned Owens inside out. Back in the ring, Strowman planted Owens with a Running Powerslam for the pinfall victory. Braun Strowman has now qualified for the Money in the Bank Ladder Match.
Opinion: If anyone deserves to be in the MITB Ladder Match, it is Braun Strowman. The guy is completely over with the crowd and seems to be the most popular Superstar on RAW every week.
Baron Corbin & The Revival Picked Up A Victory
Photo Credit: @WWE on Twitter
No Way Jose, Titus O’Neil & Apollo Crews battled Baron Corbin and The Revival tonight on RAW. Titus and Dash Wilder started off the match. Titus threw Dash to the corner and chopped him across the chest. Apollo Crews tagged in and continued the beatdown of Wilder. Dash drove Apollo to the corner and Dawson tagged in. Apollo connected with a Dropkick and followed it up with a standing Moonsault.
Corbin tagged in and brought Crews outside the ring. Corbin threw Apollo into the barricade and then bounced his head off the ring apron. Dawson got back in and punched Apollo in the face. Dawson followed it up with a Belly to Back Suplex for a two count. Dawson locked Apollo in an Abdominal Stretch in the middle of the ring.
Crews broke free and Corbin tagged in. Baron threw Crews to the turnbuckle and then kneed Apollo in the midsection. Baron sprinted across the ring and knocked Titus off the ring apron. Crews booted Corbin in the face and both Superstars fell to the canvas. No Way Jose and Dawson tagged in. Jose beat the hell out out of both members of The Revival and then knocked Corbin off the ring apron. Corbin tagged in and planted No Way Jose with the End of Days for the pinfall victory.
Ember Moon Qualified For The Women’s MITB Ladder Match
Photo Credit: @WWEUniverse on Twitter
Sasha Banks, Ruby Riott and Ember Moon battled in a Triple Threat Match to qualify for the women’s MITB Ladder Match. Liv Morgan and Sarah Logan accompanied Ruby Riott down to the ring.
Riott booted Banks and Moon in the midsection to start off the match. Sasha and Ember whipped Riott to the mat and then Ruby rolled out of the ring. Ember went for a roll-up but Banks kicked out at two and got right up and punched Moon in the face. Ruby dragged Banks out of the ring and got back into the ring to kick Moon in the face for a two count.
Ruby beatdown Ember in the corner, but Sasha turned her around and booted her in the midsection. Riott battled back and smashed Banks’ face into the second rope. Moon went for a roll-up on Riott but Ruby was able to kick out at two. Moon slammed Riott face-first into the canvas for another two count.
Sarah Logan distracted Moon for a second and Riott capitalized and slammed Moon to the mat. Riott then booted Sasha Banks off the apron to the floor and then turned her attention back to Ember Moon. Riott decked Ember with an elbow to the face and went for the cover, but Sasha Banks dove back into the ring to break up the pinfall. Riott planted Ember Moon with a DDT and Banks with a Suplex at the same time. She tried to pin them both but Banks and Moon were able to kick out.
Ruby once again booted Banks out of the ring and then leveled Moon with a Clothesline for a two count. Riott slowed things down and applied a submission hold in the middle of the ring. Ember tried to escape, but Riott hit another Clothesline for two. Riott applied a Chin Lock and dragged Moon back to the canvas.
Moon battled to her feet and broke the hold with a Jawbreaker. Banks got back in the ring and connected with a Dropkick to Riott. Moon hit a springboard Crossbody for a two count. Moon hit Ruby with a Suplex and then delivered one to Sasha Banks. Moon Dropkicked Ruby off the ring apron, but turned around into Double Knees from Banks. Sasha flipped onto Logan and Morgan out of the ring. Riott then booted Banks in the face, but was knocked back to the floor by a Suicide Dive from Ember Moon.
Ember brought Riott back into the ring and started climbing up the turnbuckle. Sarah Logan ripped Moon down to the floor as the referee wasn’t paying attention. Banks slammed Riott’s face into the middle turnbuckle. Riott got right back up and hit a forearm to the face. Riott and Banks battled on the turnbuckle. Riott connected with a Hurricanrana off the top rope, but Banks rolled through for a pinfall. The Riott Squad leaped into the ring and started beating down Banks.
Bayley’s music hit and Bayley came down to the ring to save Banks. Logan and Morgan beat her down and turned their attention back to Banks. Bayley attacked them from behind and Banks returned to the ring. Ember Moon then leaped off the top rope and connected with a double Eclipse to Banks and Riott. Banks tumbled out of the ring as Moon pinned Ruby Riott to win the match. Ember Moon is the first Superstar to qualify for the women’s MITB Ladder Match.
Opinion: This was a very good match. Moon was great in NXT and I’m hoping that she has a ton of success on the main roster.
Bobby Lashley Is A Family Man
Photo Credit: @WWE on Twitter
Renee Young sat down with Bobby Lashley for an interview. Before the interview, WWE aired a video package of Lashley’s accomplishments throughout his life and how he made it to WWE.
Renee asked who Bobby Lashley was a man. Lashley stated that he is extremely blessed because he has a great family and that is all he was about. Photos of Lashley’s sisters were shown as Bobby spoke about his sister Kathy chasing him around with a broom growing up. Lashley said that his sister Jessica used to carry around a white towel that she got from her grandmother. She took the towel to school one day and bully took the towel. Lashley took the towel and shoved it down the bully’s throat.
Lashley brought up his sister Francis and how she would always carry around her father’s military helmet. Lashley played a prank on her and hid the helmet. Lashley pointed to a scar on his face and that serves as a reminder to never mess with his sister Francis. Lashley then looked in the camera and told each of his sisters that he loved them to end the interview.
Opinion: It will be interesting to see how WWE uses Bobby Lashley going forward. He has just been floating around on the RAW roster since his return, competing in meaningless tag matches with Braun Strowman. Lashley is a freak athlete and a supremely talented performer. I just think that he is boring when it comes to promos and interviews. This interview was designed to get the WWE Universe to care about Lashley and to get to know him a little better. I wasn’t a big fan of Lashley in his first stint with WWE, hopefully this run winds up different.
Jinder Mahal Demolished Chad Gable
Photo Credit: @WWE on Twitter
Jinder Mahal faced Chad Gable tonight on RAW. Earlier during the show, Mahal complained about not being in the MITB Ladder Match to RAW GM Kurt Angle. Kurt said that if Mahal impressed tonight, he will consider giving him an opportunity to get in the Ladder Match.
Gable started off the match in control and applied a Facelock to Jinder in the middle of the ring. Jinder broke free and knocked Gable out of the ring. Mahal bounced Gable’s face off the ring apron a couple of times before the action returned to the ring.
Mahal locked Gable in a Bear Hug in the center of the ring. Chad escaped with a couple uppercuts, but Mahal launched him into the turnbuckle. Mahal then locked in the Abdominal Stretch. Gable broke free and locked in an Arm Bar while draped across the ropes. Gable broke the hold before the five count and connected with a Moonsault off the top rope for a two count.
Jinder got right back up and decked Gable with a knee to the face. Gable rolled up Mahal for another two count. Jinder connected with a big boot and then posed in the ring. Mahal planted Gable with the Khallas for the easy pinfall victory.
After the match, Mahal attacked Gable and slammed him chest-first into the turnbuckle. Mahal then dropped Gable on the top rope and booted him out of the ring. Mahal shouted “are you watching, Kurt?” and then posed in the ring.
Mahal confronted Angle backstage after the match and demanded that he batted to the Triple Threat Match later tonight. Angle declined and Mahal stormed off. Zack Ryder was there during the segment and said that he wanted to be the hometown hero and qualify for the MITB Ladder Match. Angle never gave Ryder an answer during the segment.
Dolph Ziggler & Drew McIntyre faced Heath Slater and Rhyno tonight on RAW. Ziggler and Rhyno started off the match. Rhyno decked him with a Clothesline and then tagged in Slater. Heath climbed to the top rope and connected with an elbow. Slater continued the beatdown with a forearm to the face as the crowd chanted “he’s got kids!”.
McIntyre tagged in and Slater went right at him with a couple of punches to the face. Drew shrugged them off and booted Slater in the face. McIntyre had an intense look in his eyes as he stared at Slater. Ziggler tagged himself in as McIntyre held up Slater on the ropes. Ziggler connected with a Superkick to Slater and then McIntyre headbutted Rhyno off the ring apron.
McIntyre then tagged in and teamed up with Dolph for a Zig Zag/Claymore to Slater. Drew McIntyre then pinned Heath Slater for the victory.
Opinion: I am really enjoying the team of Dolph Ziggler and Drew McIntyre. The Zig Zag/Claymore is an awesome looking finisher. I’ve been complaining about RAW’s tag division for some time and this team is exactly what it needs.
Bobby Roode Defeated Elias
Photo Credit: @WWE on Twitter
Bobby Roode faced Elias again tonight on RAW. Roode and a bunch of other Superstars interrupted Elias’ performance last night at WWE Backlash. Roode planted Elias with a Glorious DDT and danced his way up the entrance ramp last night.
Elias strummed his guitar in the ring and asked the crowd if they wanted to walk with Elias. Elias stated that WWE stands for Walk With Elias and the entire crowd chanted along. He then complained about being interrupted last night and called Roode a “glorious fraud”. Elias vowed to rip apart Roode’s vocal chords if he interrupted him again and added that he was going to go on and win the MITB Ladder Match.
The entire crowd chanted “Rusev Day!” and Elias told them to shut their mouths. Elias then performed a song that poked fun at Bobby Roode. Bobby interrupted and made his way down to the ring for the match.
Roode started off the match in control and connected with a couple jabs. Roode followed it up with a running forearm to the face and then made his way to the top rope. Roode hit a flying Clothesline and then posed in the ring. Bobby geared up for the Glorious DDT, but Elias blocked it. Roode connected with an Enziguri that knocked Elias out of the ring as RAW went to a commercial break.
When RAW returned, Elias was back in control and beatdown Roode in the corner. Elias tossed Roode across the ring for a two count. Elias applied a Crossface in the middle of the ring. Roode escaped and traded punches with Elias. Roode got the upper-hand and chopped Elias to the corner. Elias battled back and threw Roode into the turnbuckle.
Roode connected with a Spinebuster for a two count. Elias responded with a Backbreaker for another two count. Elias got frustrated and started stomping on Roode’s head. Elias planted Roode with a Powerbomb for another two count. Elias couldn’t believe that Roode kicked out and shouted at the referee.
Elias tried to slam Roode into the ring post like last week, but Roode was able to block it and brought Elias back into the ring. Elias went for a Suplex but Roode countered into the Glorious DDT for the pinfall victory.
After the match, Bobby Roode was interviewed in the ring. Roode said that he wanted a qualifying match for the MITB Ladder Match. Bobby claimed that beating Elias was great, but winning the MITB Ladder Match will be absolutely glorious.
Opinion: I never thought that I would be this bored with Bobby Roode on the main roster. He was an excellent heel in NXT, but I cannot stand his character on the main roster. He has so much more to offer and I don’t understand why WWE has him cast as the most boring face possible. He needs to be pissing people off by doing whatever it takes to win. I don’t have any interest in watching Roode eke out a victory over Elias. The crowd didn’t seem to care about Roode’s victory tonight either.
Seth Rollins Retained The Intercontinental Championship
Photo Credit: @WWE on Twitter
Intercontinental Champion Seth Rollins came down to the ring and said that The Miz took him to the limit last night. Rollins raised the title and said that he stood here proudly as your IC Champion. The crowd chanted “you deserve it!” and Seth thanked them. Rollins stated that the one thing he learned from The Miz is what kind of champion not to be.
Seth stated that he wanted to be a fighting champion. Rollins claimed that MITB is not his focus right now, his focus was making the IC Title “the title” on Monday Night RAW. Seth issued an open challenge to any Superstar in the back to fight for the Intercontinental Championship.
Mojo Rawley came down to the entrance ramp and said that this was the RAW debut that he deserves. Rawley said that he knocks people down when opportunity comes knocking. The crowd chanted “we want Ryder!” and Mojo bragged about knocking down Zack Ryder. Rawley said that he was going to take that IC Title off of Rollins and then go on to win the MITB Ladder Match. Mojo added that from here on out, this is Monday Night Rawley.
Rollins connected with a Dropkick and followed it up with a chop to start off the match. Seth threw Mojo out of the ring and connected with a basement Dropkick. Rawley battled back and hit a massive shoulder tackle that sent Rollins flying into the barricade as RAW went to a break.
When RAW returned, Mojo slammed Seth to the canvas for a two count. Rollins battled back and slammed Mojo’s head into the second turnbuckle. Rollins connected with a boot to the face and then Clothesline Rawley out of the ring. Seth followed it up with a Suicide Dive and then hit a second one immediately after.
Back in the ring, Rollins hit a boot to the face and then a Blockbuster off the second rope for a two count. Mojo hit a Spinebuster for a two count. Rollins battled back with a Superkick and went for the cover, but Mojo kicked out at two and Seth couldn’t believe it. Seth went for the Curb Stomp, but Mojo was ready and planted Rollins face-first for a two count.
Mojo shouted at the referee out of frustration and then leveled Rollins with a shoulder tackle. Mojo went for another one, but Rollins caught him with a boot to the face. Seth followed it up with the Curb Stomp for the pinfall victory. Seth Rollins is still the Intercontinental Champion.
RAW Tag Team Champions Bray Wyatt & Matt Hardy battled Curtis Axel & The Miztourage tonight on RAW. Before the match, Axel and Dallas cut a backstage promo and said that they were no longer supporting actors. They are now leading men.
What should you call @TheBoDallas & @RealCurtisAxel now that they are no longer #TheMiztourage?
Wyatt and Axel started off the match. Bray leveled Axel with a shoulder tackle and tagged in Matt Hardy. Axel battled back and drove Hardy to the corner. Bo tagged in and planted Hardy with a DDT for a two count. Hardy connected with a Side Effect as Bray pleaded for tag.
Axel and Wyatt tagged in and Bray beat him down in the corner. Wyatt bounced off the ropes and leveled Axel. Bray booted Bo off the ring apron and then planted Axel with a Uranage. Hardy tagged in and teamed up with Bray for a double Sister Abigail to Curtis Axel for the pinfall victory.
Finn Balor Qualified For The Men’s MITB Ladder Match
Photo Credit: @WWE on Twitter
Roman Reigns, Finn Balor and Sami Zayn battled in a Triple Threat Match to qualify for the MITB Ladder Match in the main event of this week’s RAW. Earlier in the show, Sami Zayn asked Kevin Owens if he had his back tonight. Owens reluctantly said that he did. Reigns was also interviewed earlier during the show and claimed that he should be the Universal Champion. Reigns vowed to overcome the haters once again and win the MITB Ladder Match. Finn Balor said that he is looking forward to overcoming the odds in a brief video during the show.
Sami Zayn taunted Balor and Reigns to start off the match. Reigns connected with a massive right hand that sent Sami flying out of the ring. Roman and Balor locked up and Reigns quickly took control. Roman connected with a headbutt, but Finn battled back with a Dropkick. Roman punched Balor in the face and then knocked Zayn out of the ring again as RAW went to a commercial break.
When RAW returned, Balor hit Reigns with a Dropkick. Sami went for a roll-up but Finn kicked out at two. Reigns knocked Sami on his ass and then threw Balor to the corner of the ring. Roman unloaded a series of Clotheslines to Balor in the corner and then booted Sami out of the ring. The crowd chanted “same old sh*t!” as Roman smirked.
Balor and Zayn got up on the apron on opposite side of Reigns. They both went after him and beat him down as the crowd erupted. The entire crowd then chanted “yes!” as Sami and Finn stomped on Reigns. Roman got back up and then they Clotheslined him to the floor outside as the crowd popped.
Balor and Zayn then continued the beatdown through the crowd. The Big Dog battled back and the crowd booed. Sami connected with a Helluva Kick and Reigns fell into the tech area. Finn hopped up on the barricade and delivered a Coup de Grace to Reigns. Sami then attacked Finn and threw him back over the barricade and towards the ring.
Back in the ring, Sami connected with Blue Thunder Bomb to Balor for a two count. Balor hit Zayn with an overhead kick and both Superstars fell to the canvas. Balor chopped Sami in the corner and then dropped an elbow across his chest for another two count. Sami slung Balor out of the ring and Finn grabbed his knee in pain. Zayn ran towards Balor and Finn planted him with a Slingblade. Balor then ran into a boot to the face from Zayn.
Sami started stomping on Balor in the corner as the crowd booed because Reigns got up. Roman leaped over the barricade and decked Sami with a Clothesline. Roman bounced Sami’s head off the ring post and then hit him with a Drive By. Balor then shoved Reigns from behind into the steel steps.
Balor booted Sami in the face and then made his way up to the top rope. Sami dodged the Coup de Grace and hit an Exploder Suplex to Balor in the corner. Zayn went for the Helluva Kick, but Reigns got back into the ring and hit a Superman Punch. Balor countered the Spear from Reigns into a Slingblade. Roman dodged the Coup de Grace and hit a Superman Punch on Balor.
Jinder Mahal tripped Reigns from behind. Zayn connected with a Helluva Kick to Reigns. Finn then Dropkicked Zayn into the turnbuckle and followed it up with the Coup de Grace for the pinfall victory. RAW went off the air with Balor celebrating as Reigns stared at a smiling Jinder Mahal in the crowd.
Opinion: Balor absolutely deserves to be a part of the MITB Ladder Match. I’m sure we will see some more bickering between Zayn and Owens in the weeks to come. Owens didn’t show up to help out Sami Zayn tonight and he wound up eating the pinfall. As for Reigns, I’m just going to assume that he will wind up facing Brock Lesnar at Money in the Bank for the Universal Championship. Either that, or Mahal will face Reigns next week to qualify for the MITB Ladder Match. Time will tell, but at least RAW ended on a good note after last night’s disastrous PPV.
What did you think of tonight’s episode of RAW? Let us know in the comments below.
Tonight’s edition of WWE SmackDown Live takes place from Baltimore, MD at the Royal Farms Arena. The show will feature three Money in the Bank qualifying matches:
Daniel Bryan vs. Rusev
United States Champion Jeff Hardy vs. The Miz
Peyton Royce vs. Charlotte Flair
Also, SmackDown General Manager Paige has revealed on Twitter that she would be kicking off the show. She sent out the following tweet:
– Casey of Squared Circle Sirens has provided some details on an episode of Table for 3 that features former WWE RAW Women’s Champion Alexa Bliss, WWE Hall of Famers Trish Stratus and Lita.
In this episode, they will be talking about Alexa’s pet pig Larry Steve, Lita’s start in Mexico, reflecting on the business, and Trish finding yoga. As of this writing, there’s no word yet on when this episode will air.
Former UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion Ronda Rousey was handling some non-WWE duties on Monday night (May 7, 2018).
She did not appear on this week’s episode of Monday Night RAW in Uniondale, NY at the Nassau Coliseum on the USA Network.
WWE has revealed that the reason she did not appear on the show is due to her currently filming for Shark Week, which begins Sunday, July 22 on Discovery.
As of this writing, there’s no word yet on if the former UFC champion is expected to return to the sports entertainment company’s flagship show, Monday Night RAW, next week as that show will be taped in London, England at the O2 Arena.
Rousey has shared this video on her official Instagram account:
The vision that Triple H has for the WWE NXT brand continues to move forward.
Before NXT, which Triple H created, WWE had OVW and other developmental brands to get talents that they saw as draws ready for the big stage. At the time, the indie scene was a totally different place than it is right now. Triple H believed that they needed to build within instead of reach out to other promotions and grab their talent. Thus, NXT was born, and later WWE created the Performance Center in Orlando, Florida.
During a recent interview with Planeta Wrestling, the former WWE Champion opened up on wanting to grow the NXT into a global brand. Here is what he had to say (transcript courtesy of Wrestling Inc):
“Those are our goals over time. Whether that would be in the Middle East, or India, or South America or Latin America, it all comes down to timing, they all take time and partnerships. They take significant business dealings. It is all in the process. Would I love for NXT to be this global, international brand in all the markets that I mentioned? Absolutely! It is all going to take time.”
https://youtu.be/P6TaQFkZfns
What are your thoughts on Triple H’s vision for the brand? Sound off in the comment section below.
The May 7th, 2018 edition of WWE RAW took place at the Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, New York, and was the first episode after Sunday’s Backlash pay-per-view.
– Michael Cole welcomes us to the Nassau Coliseum, and he’s joined by Corey Graves and Jonathan Coachman at the broadcast table.
– RAW GM Kurt Angle comes out to kick off the show. Ladders are set up around the stage to promote the upcoming Money In The Bank pay-per-view. Angle steps in the ring and gets on the mic, and he confirms that there will be a men’s ladder match and women’s ladder match at Money In The Bank this year. Angle says RAW will decide their Money In The Bank combatants in the ring, with two qualifying matches tonight. Braun Strowman comes out to interrupt.
Strowman gets on the mic and tells a story about not being allowed in a neighborhood treehouse when he was a kid, so he destroyed it. Angle says Braun has been on a roll lately and deserves a shot at Money In The Bank. Kevin Owens comes out to interrupt, and says he’s the one who deserves the spot. He says he’s already the RAW MVP, and rants about being more deserving than Braun. Angle starts going back and forth with Owens, but Braun interrupts and says the only thing Owens deserves is to get these hands. This leads to Angle booking Braun Strowman vs. Kevin Owens tonight in a MITB qualifying match, and that match starts right now. Angle’s music hits and the fans chant “You Suck” as the Olympic gold medalist heads to the back.
– Braun Strowman vs. Kevin Owens: The winner of this match will get a spot in the men’s Money In The Bank ladder match. The opening bell sounds and Owens unloads with strikes on Strowman to start off. Strowman grabs Owens and tosses him across the ring, knocking down the ref in the process. Owens tries to fight back, but Braun beats him down all over the ring. Braun throws Owens outside, and Owens hops over the barricade to try to escape. Braun brings Owens back to the ringside area, but Owens drops him on the floor with a tornado DDT. Strowman misses a shot in the corner and crashes into the ring post, and he doesn’t get back in the ring until the ref’s 8 count. Owens is waiting for Braun in the ring and unloads on him, and the fight spills back out to ringside. Braun hits Owens with a big running shoulder tackle into the fan barricade, and the back of Owens’ head hits the top of the barricade. Braun takes Owens back in the ring and hits the running powerslam for the three count.
Winner: Braun Strowman
– Strowman poses after the match and gets a pop from the New York crowd. Cole explains on commentary that Strowman now has a shot at the Money In The Bank ladder match, and if he goes on to win that, he gets a Title shot whenever he wants.
– We see a shot of the outside of the Nassau Coliseum as the sun sets and the flags blow in the wind.
– Roman Reigns is backstage for an interview. Reigns tells Mike Rome that he’s pissed off and he’s going to go take control of his yard. Reigns says he will mow down anyone in his way of getting back what’s his: The WWE Universal Title.
– Michael Cole introduces some pre-taped video promos from Bayley and Breezango talking about Money In The Bank.
– Kurt Angle is backstage looking at Goldust with a confused look on his face. Goldust breathes at him, and quotes “Million Dollar Baby” before telling Kurt he needs a shot at Money In The Bank. Jinder Mahal interrupts with Sunil Singh and complains that he’s not getting enough opportunity. Jinder says Reigns is getting opportunity after opportunity, while The Modern Day Maharaja gets none. Angle points out that Jinder hasn’t won a match since he came to RAW, and tells Jinder to get ready for his match. Kurt says if Jinder puts on a good show against Chad Gable tonight, he’ll consider giving Jinder a shot at MITB. Jinder walks off, and Goldust quotes another movie to Kurt before getting in his face again then walking off.
– Apollo Crews, Titus O’Neil & No Way Jose vs. Baron Corbin & The Revival: Titus and Wilder start off, and Titus throttles him into the corner. Crews quickly tags in and they double team Wilder. Wilder backs Crews into the corner and tags in Dawson. The Revival double teams Crews, and then Corbin tags in for anther double team on Crews. Corbin takes Crews outside now and throws him into the barricade. Back in the ring, Dawson tags in and continues the beat down on Crews. Crews starts to fight back, but Corbin tags back in now and drops him. Corbin drops Titus off the apron now, and Crews nails Corbin with a kick to the head. Jose and Dawson tag in now, and Jose clears the ring. Jose hits a splash in the corner on Dawson and then a Samoan Drop for a two count. Everyone hits the ring now, and when the dust settles it’s back down to Dawson and Jose fighting by the ropes. Corbin gets the blind tag as Jose continues to beat on Dawson. Corbin comes in and grabs Jose from behind, then hits the End of Days for the three count.
Winners: Baron Corbin & The Revival
– Sasha Banks vs. Ember Moon vs. Ruby Riott: This one is a qualifying match for the women’s MITB match. The opening bell sounds and Ruby gets dumped outside early on. Ruby regroups with Logan and Morgan at ringside, as Sasha and Ember go at it in the ring. Sasha and Ember go back and forth competitively until Ruby sees her opportunity and hits the ring again. Ruby drops Sasha and dumps her outside, then starts working over Ember. Sasha comes back in the ring and starts firing up until Ruby hits a double DDT move on both Sasha and Ember. Ruby throws Sasha back outside and then beats down Ember and tries keep her grounded. Ember stuns Ruby with a jaw breaker, and then Sasha runs in and cleans house. Ember ducks a clothesline and comes back with a springboard cross body on Sasha for a two count. Ember drops Ruby, and then suplexes Sasha. Ember dropkicks Ruby off the apron, which leads to Sasha hitting knee strikes on Ember. Sasha drops Ember, then Sasha hits a suicide dive onto Logan and Morgan at ringside. Ruby hits a missile dropkick off the apron on Sasha on the floor, and then Ember hits a suicide dive onto Ruby at ringside. Ember takes Ruby back in the ring for a two count. The Riott Squad briefly causes a distraction, and it comes down to Sasha and Ruby fighting on the corner. Ruby hits a Frankensteiner on Sasha off the top, but Sasha rolls through into a pin. Logan and Morgan hit the ring now and start beating on Sasha and they drag her out to ringside, as Michael Cole points out that this is a No DQ match. Bayley runs in to even the odds, but Logan and Morgan drop Bayley too. Bayley comes back and drops Logan and Morgan, then Sasha makes her way back in the ring. Ruby starts beating on Sasha now until Ember Moon comes out of nowhere and hits the Eclipse on Ruby. Ember pins Ruby for the three count.
Winner: Ember Moon
– Ember Moon has now earned her spot at Money In The Bank. She celebrates her win as the other women all recover at ringside.
– Backstage, Ember Moon does an interview about proving her doubters wrong. She says we welcomes all challenges and she’s going to grab the Money In The Bank contract.
– Michael Cole introduces a video package about Bobby Lashley. We see old footage of Bobby Lashley’s amateur wrestling career as a child and then as a Champion. It covers Lashley enlisting in the military and also joining their wrestling team. It mentions Lashley getting an Olympic try-out, but injuring his knee and not being able to. We see footage from Lashley signing with WWE and then winning championships and headlining WrestleMania. We see some still photos of Lashleys professional MMA fights, where he has a 15-2 record. We fast forward to Lashley’s recent return to WWE after 10 years.
– We then go to a pre-taped interviw with Renee Young and Bobby Lashley. Lashley tells some stories about his childhood and growing up with his sisters. At the end of the interview, Lashley looks into the camera and says he wants to tell his sisters he loves them.
– Sami Zayn is backstage in the locker room telling Kevin Owens that it seems like there’s a conspiracy against them. Kevin Owens seems bummed out about his loss to Strowman tonight, and he storms off. Sami looks frustrated and it appears there’s some tension between Owens and Zayn.
– Jinder Mahal vs. Chad Gable: The opening bell sounds and they go at it right away. Jinder dumps Gable out to ringside early on. Jinder follows him outside and slams Chad’s head onto the ring apron repeatedly. Back in the ring, Jinder locks in a bear hug, but Gable fights out. Gabel starts throwing punches, but Jinder tackles him down and then applies an abdominal stretch. Gable fights out and drops Jinder, then hits a moonsault off the top for a two count. Gable misses a shot and Jinder capitlizes with a knee to the face. Jinder picks up Gable, but Gable escapes and rolls up Jinder for a two count. Jinder chokes Gable over the top rope, then boots him in the face. Jinder hits the Khallas for the three count.
Winner: Jinder Mahal
– Sunil Singh gets in the ring and celebrates the win with Jinder. Sunil gets in Gable’s face, and Gable shoves him down. Jinder comes over and puts the boots to Gable, then slams him upside down in the corner. Jinder grabs Gable and hits repeated knee strikes to the body, then Jinder suplexes Gable over the top rope. Jinder kicks Gable out of the ring and yells at the crowd.
– We see a pre-taped promo from Alexa Bliss about wanting to rise to the top of the women’s division again. The crowd is heard chanting “asshole” as she talks. We also see a pre-taped promo from the Ascension about their intentions to turn the RAW tag division into “the waste land.”
– Zack Ryder approaches Kurt Angle backstage, and tells Kurt he wants to qualify for the MITB ladder match tonight here in his home town. Jinder Mahal storms in with Sunil Singh by his side. Jinder asks if Kurt saw what he just did, and tells Kurt to add him to the other MITB qualifying match tonight. Kurt tells him “woo, woo, woo, no, bro,” and Jinder walks off fuming. Ryder and Angle share an awkward fist bump, and they laugh.
– Dolph Ziggler & Drew McIntyre vs. Rhyno & Heath Slater: Rhyno and Ziggler start this one off. Ziggler slaps Rhyno across the chest, and Rhyno drops him. Slater tags in and they double team Ziggle. Heath hits a big right hand on Ziggler, and then he attempts a suplex, but Dolph escapes. Drew tags in and trades punches with Slater. Slater starts firing up, but Drew shuts him down with a big boot. Drew chops Slater, then hangs him upside-down over the ropes and Ziggler superkicks Slater from the floor. Ziggler knocks Rhyno out to the floor, and then they hit a double-team Zig Zag/Claymore on Slater for the three count.
Winners: Dolph Ziggler & Drew McIntyre
– Ziggler and McIntyre leave the ring and head to the back. We see Elias backstage warming up his guitar and getting ready to come out.
– We see a Progressive auto insurance commercial featuring Titus falling under the ring at the Greatest Royal Rumble.
– Elias is in the ring for a song. Elias leads the crowd in a “walk with Elias” chant, and says he’s on a different world from the rest of the RAW roster. He complains about being interrupted last night, and then he trashes Bobby Roode and Long Island. Elias says he will rip apart Roode’s vocal cords if he interrupts him again, and then he’ll go win the Money In The Bank ladder match. The crowd chants “Rusev Day” at Elias, and Elias tells them to shut their mouths, silence their cell phones, and hold their applause so he can sing. Elias sings about Long Island, and then Bobby Roode comes out to interrupt.
– Bobby Roode vs. Elias: The winner of this one earns a spot in the MITB ladder match. Roode starts off strong and drops Elias with a running forearm shot to the face. Roode goes up top and hits a flying clothesline. Roode waits for Elias to get up, then he boots him in the head and sends Elias rolling outside for a breather on the floor. Back in the ring Roode continues the offense and he looks for a shot off the top rope, but Elias blocks it and drops Roode. Elias puts the boots to Roode now on the mat, and then slams him down for a two count. Roode starts coming back with strikes to Elias, but Elias shuts him down with a shot in the corner. Roode escapes a slam attempt, and he hits a spinebuster on Elias for a two count. Roode hits a running clothesline in the corner, but then Elias comes back with a backbreaker for a two count. Elias pulls the padding off a turnbuckle and goes to throw Roode into it, but Roode blocks it and fights back. They trade punches in the middle of the ring until Elias drops Roode with a forearm to the face. Elias talks trash and looks for a suplex, but Roode reverses into the Glorious DDT for the three count.
Winner: Bobby Roode
– Roode’s hand gets raised after the match, and Elias rolls out to ringside and retreats up the ramp. Roode does an interview in the ring where he says he wants a shot at the MITB ladder match. Roode things after his win over Elias, he hopes he’s next in line for an MITB opportunity, because winning that would be absolutely glorious.
– Coming up: Roman Reigns vs. Sami Zayn vs. Finn Balor in a Money In The Bank qualifying match.
– Intercontinental Champion Seth Rollins is backstage walking towards the gorilla position.
– Seth Rollins comes out to the ring and talks about his win over The Miz last night. Rollins says if there’s something he can learn from The Miz, it’s how not to be IC Champion, because Rollins wants to be a fighting champion. Rollins says he’ll defend his IC Title any time, and he issues an open challenge to anyone in the back. Mojo Rawley’s music hits, and Mojo comes out to accept the challenge. Mojo says he’s going to knock down Rollins just like he knocked down Zack Ryder. Mojo hits the ring, and Jojo does the official ring introductions.
– Seth Rollins (c) vs. Mojo Rawley: Rollins’ IC Title is on the line in this one. The opening bell sounds and Mojo starts off strong. Rollins dumps Mojo outside, but Rollins misses the suicide dive and Mojo drops him. Mojo then tackles Rollins into the fan barricade, and Rollins goes down hard. Mojo takes Rollins back in the ring and continues the beat down. Rollins finally comes back with an enziguri, then he clotheslines Mojo to the outside. Rollins follows up with a suicide dive on Mojo, and then he gets back in the ring and hits another one. Rollins takes Mojo back in the ring and hits a Blockbuster off the middle rope for a two count. Rollins misses a shot and Mojo capitlizes with a big spinebuster on the Champion. Mojo picks up Seth, but Rollins fights out with elbows to the face. Rollins drops Mojo then boots him in the face for a two count. It looks like Rollins wants to curb stomp, but Mojo stops him and slams him down for a two count. Mojo can’t believe he didn’t get the three, and he gets in the ref’s face. Mojo throws Rollins off the ropes and hits a big tackle. Mojo talks some trash, and Rollins comes back with a kick and a knee to the face. Rollins stomps Mojo’s face into the mat, then covers for the three count.
Winner & still Intercontinental Champion: Seth Rollins
– Rollins celebrates in the ring with his IC Title belt as we go to replays.
– We see a pre-taped promo from Finn Balor about his match tonight to qualify for the MITB ladder match.
– Michael Cole introduces a pre-taped interview from Bo Dallas and Curtis Axel, who say wrestling is in their DNA, and they’re going to beat the RAW Tag Champs tonight to prove they’re more than The Miz’s supporting actors.
– Bo Dallas & Curtis Axel vs. Bray Wyatt & Matt Hardy: Wyatt and his brother Bo start off, but they don’t lock up. Axel tags in and Wyatt goes right for him and drops him. Matt tags in and they double team Curtis. Matt and Axel start brawling back and forth now until Dallas tags in and they double team Hardy. Dallas continues the offense on Hardy and keeps the Wroken one grounded. Bo misses a shot and Hardy capitalizes with the Side Effect. Wyatt and Axel tag in and Wyatt drops him. Wyatt taunts Axel and looks for the Sister Abigail, but Bo runs in. Wyatt boots Bo out of the ring, and Cole calls it brotherly love. Axel takes advantage of the distraction with a shot on Bray. Axel goes to the middle rope, but Wyatt catches him an drops him. Matt tags in and they hit a double-team Sister Abigail on Axel for the three count.
Winners: Matt Hardy & Bray Wyatt
– Matt and Bray pose with their Tag Title belts after the match.
– We see pre-taped promos from Natalya and Baron Corbin with their comments about the upcoming Money In The Bank contract opportunity.
– Roman Reigns vs. Finn Balor vs. Sami Zayn: This one is a qualifying match for the Money In The Bank ladder match, and is a No DQ match. Sami talks trash to both Roman and Finn after the bel rings, and Roman decks him with a right hand. Sami rolls out of the ring, and Reigns and Balor start going at it on the mat now. Reigns starts off strong with right hands and headbutts, but Balor stuns him with a dropkick. Reigns punches Balor onto the apron and Finn falls outside. Sami runs in the ring again, but Reigns drops him with a right hands too. Sami rolls back outside and the Big Dog stands tall in the ring. Balor gets back in the ring and starts working over Reigns, and he decks him with a dropkick. Sami gets back in and starts beating on Balor now. Reigns gets up and clotheslines Sami down, then throws Balor into the corner and hits some strikes on him. Reigns hits running big boot on Sami, and then a Samoan drop on Balor. Balor and Zayn surrounded Reigns now, and they double team the Big Dog. Balor and Zayn both stomp on Reigns as the crowd chants “Yes” and cheers. They clothesline Reigns outside, then they follow him down to the floor. Sami and Finn take turns beating on Reigns on the floor, and the fight spills out into the crowd. Reigns starts fighting back with right hands on both his opponents, but Zayn comes back with a big boot on Reigns, and Reigns falls into some production quipment on the floor. Balor hops up on a platform and hits the Coup De Grace on Reigsn on the concrete floor. Zayn then turns on Finn and drops him on the floor, and then throws him back over the barricade to the ringside area. Sami takes Balor back into the ring to continue the offense. Sami beats on Balor until Balor comes back with a Pele kick. Cole says Reigns still hasn’t moved from where Finn left him on the floor in the crowd. Balor lays into Sami with strikes, then hits an elbow drop for a two count. Sami begs for mercy and says they need to focus on Reigns, but Balor continues pummeling on Sami. Sami pulls Finn’s trunks and throws him outside, and Finn starts selling a knee injury. Sami rolls outside and charges, but Finn jumps up and stops him with a Sling Blade on the floor. Balor charges now, but ami stops him with a boot to the face. Sami pummels on Finn now, until Reigns comes flying over the barriacade onto Zayn. Reigns pummels on Zayn on the floor then throws him into the ring post. Reigns hits the drive by kick, then throws Sami back in the ring. Balor tackles Reigns from behind and Reigns falls into the ring steps. Balor gets on the apron and boots Sami in the head, then he climbs up top. Balor misses, and Sami suplexes Balor into the turbuckle. Sami looks for the big boot, but Reigns bocks it with a Superman punch. Reigns looks for a spear on Sami, but Balor runs in and hits the Sling Blade on Reigns. Balor goes for the Coup De Grace and misses, and Reigns drops him with a Superman punch. Reigns wants a spear on Balor now, but Jinder Mahal comes out of nowhere and trips Reigns. Sami boots Reigns in the face, then Balor boots Sami and hits the Coup De Grace on him. Finn covers and scores the three count on Sami.
Winner: Finn Balor
– After the match, Jinder walks through the crowd stares at the three competitors laying in the ring. Finn Balor has now qualified for the Money In The Bank ladder match. Reigns gets to his feet at ringside as Balor celebrates in the ring. Michael Cole signs off and RAW goes off the air.
WWE has announced two big Money in the Bank qualifying matches for tonight’s RAW:
Ember Moon vs. Sasha Banks vs. Ruby Riott
Sami Zayn vs. Finn Balor vs. Roman Reigns
Money In The Bank takes place on Sunday, June 17, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois at the Allstate Arena and will air on the WWE Network and some traditional pay-per-view outlets.
WWE is in Uniondale, NY at the Nassau Coliseum for tonight’s Monday Night RAW. As of this writing, no other matches and segments have been announced for this show. This is the post-Backlash episode and features the fallout from the event.
– The WWE Network could be bringing back the series about the life of WWE Hall of Famer Mick Foley.
According to a report by PWinsider, there has been some internal talk within the sports entertainment company about doing a second season of “Holy Foley!” on the WWE Network, which features Foley, his daughter Noelle and the rest of the family. The first season aired in 2016 and lasted for ten episodes.
– The WWE NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn 4 event takes place on Saturday, August 18, 2018, in Brooklyn, New York at the Barclays Center and will air on the WWE Network.
Tickets go on sale this Friday, May 11, 2018. Triple H sent out the following to hype the upcoming event as well as tickets going on sale:
“It’s time for @WWENXT to make history and TAKE OVER Brooklyn…again. #NXTTakeOver: Brooklyn is LIVE from the @barclayscenter the night before #SummerSlam, Saturday, August 18th. Tickets on sale THIS Friday, May 11th at 10 am ET on http://NXTTickets.com .#WeAreNXT.”
New footage from Total Bellas of the breakup between John Cena and Nikki Bella has surfaced online.
The couple announced their separation just last month after dating since 2012 and being engaged for a year. Cena and Bella teamed up together for the first time back at WrestleMania 33 in 2017 where they defeated The Miz and Maryse.
After the match, Cena proposed to Bella. It’s been reported that they were scheduled to get married on May 5, 2018, before separating.
The third season of Total Bellas is slated to premiere on May 20, 2018, on the E! Network and as a way to promote the upcoming season, a new promo has been released online that breaking up at the :22 mark of this video below.
In a press release that was put out to the public prior to the split, the television network was hyping that the season would see Cena and Bella go through the ups and downs as they plan their wedding and face the challenges that go into preparing for the big day.
Do you plan on watching the new season? Sound off in the comment section below.
RAW Superstar Kevin Owens recently signed a new 5-year deal with WWE that will keep him with the company through 2023.
During an interview with Canada’s TVA Sports, Kevin Owens told Pat Laprade (translated):
“Hopefully I do not see why I will not finish my career with WWE. I just recently signed a new five-year contract with them. I do not intend to go anywhere [when] my contract ends. If the WWE wants to continue, if I want to continue and my family is ready for me to continue, I do not see why it would not happen.”
Now in the 18th year of his professional wrestling career, the married father of two says he’d be very proud of what he’s accomplished in the ring.
“If it ends tomorrow, I would be very satisfied with the career I had as a professional wrestler.”
Other topics discussed include Canadian wrestling legends and why Montreal won’t be hosting a WWE pay-per-view any time soon. Visit tvasports.ca to read the full interview.
Kevin Owens: 18-Year Veteran
Owens would have good reason to satisfied with his accolades, as he’s held many championships throughout his career. Prior to joining WWE, he held the Ring of Honor World Championship and the the PWG Championship three times. He signed with WWE in 2014 and went on to have a lengthy reign as NXT Champion.
Since joining the main roster in May 2015, Kevin Owens has held the WWE Universal Championship, the Intercontinental championship twice and the United States title three times.
WWE sent in word that former MMA fighters Marina Shafir and Jessamyn Duke have reported to the Performance Center in Orlando, Florida.
Shafir and Duke are part of MMA’s “Four Horsewomen” along with Ronda Rousey and NXT Women’s Champion Shayna Baszler. As WWE.com puts it, “MMA’s Four Horsewomen have arrived in WWE in full force.”
Duke was a pro MMA Fighter from 2012-2016. She fought as a bantamweight for various promotions including the UFC and appeared on UFC’s “Ultimate Fighter” series back in 2013 as part of “Team Rousey.”
Shafir fought for Invicta and Lights Out Promotions. She is engaged to NXT Superstar Roderick Strong and has been seen ringside for many of Strong’s NXT matches.
WWE fans might remember MMA’s horsewomen having a confrontation with Charlotte Flair, Becky Lynch and Bayley at last year’s Mae Young Classic. With Shafir and Duke now officially working under the WWE banner, the stage is set for both Charlotte and Ronda Rousey to have the backing of their respective crews when that eventual showdown occurs.
WWE posted an interview between Cathy Kelly and Roman Reigns, who describes the pride he feels over his win against Samoa Joe at Backlash. Reigns said that Joe had been saying a lot of things about him in recent weeks, and his victory solidifies that this is still his yard:
Cesaro On Watching Backlash From Home
Not all WWE Superstars were used on last night’s Backlash pay-per-view (PPV) event. While there were no Tag Team Title matches on the show, that meant that SmackDown Live’s team, The Bar (Sheamus and Cesaro), didn’t have a spot on the card.
The Swiss Superman took to Twitter to comment on what it was like watching the event from home instead of performing:
A segment during last night’s Backlash event featured Elias being interrupted by the likes of The New Day, Rusev and Aiden English, No Way Jose, and Bobby Roode. In the end everyone (except Rusev and English) were dancing with Jose’s conga line – including Roode. Roode actually twerked a bit for the crowd.
Rusev took to Twitter to comment on The Glorious One’s twerking abilities:
Happy #RusevDay Backlash ! Bob Roode twerking like a skunk was terrible
Last night SmackDown Live Women’s Champion Carmella successfully retained her title against Charlotte Flair during the Backlash pay-per-view (PPV). There were a few sloppy spots during the match that fans called The Princess Of Statin Island out for on Twitter.
Carmella decided to respond to some of these comments on Twitter; ranging from people telling her she has no in-ring talent, to others saying she’s nothing more than eye candy. Check it out:
RAW Superstar Natalya took to social media to pay tribute to her late uncle Owen Hart, who would’ve turned 53-years-old today. Hart passed away back in May of 1999 after taking a fall from the top of the rafters in a stunt gone wrong at the Kemper Arena in Kansas City, Missouri for the Over The Edge PPV. He died from internal bleeding and blunt force trauma at a nearby hospital:
We now know why two former WWE World Heavyweight Champions were backstage at the Backlash pay-per-view event.
On Sunday afternoon (May 6, 2018), a report surfaced online that stated WWE Hall of Famer Edge and Christian were spotted in Newark, New Jersey, which was the site of the Backlash PPV event.
This led to speculation that they could appear on the broadcast. As seen by watching the show that was not the case.
According to a report by Mike Johnson of PWinsider, the reason they were in town but didn’t appear on the broadcast of the show is to prepare for production of the second season of The Edge & Christian Show on the WWE Network, which is set to begin filming on May 25.
Do you plan on watching the second season of this show? Sound off in the comment section below.
It looks like we haven’t seen the last of Roman Reigns’ quest to dethrone WWE Universal Champion Brock Lesnar.
Despite that fact that Reigns has already lost to Lesnar twice in the past month (at WrestleMania 34 and Greatest Royal Rumble), WWE.com’s preview for tonight’s RAW ponders if Reigns’ victory of Samoa Joe at Backlash will “finally” put him a position to battle The Beast.
Lesnar is not currently advertised for Monday’s RAW TV event from Long Island, nor is he booked for next week’s European tour.
Brock Lesnar’s next advertised appearance is scheduled for the May 21st edition RAW in Albany, NY.
The Universal Championship was not defended at Backlash, so there’s a good chance Lesnar will be in action at next month’s Money in the Bank pay-per-view on June 17th from Chicago.
Do you want to see another match between Reigns and Lesnar?
John Cena is notorious for posting cryptic content on his Instagram page, and he didn’t disappoint this time around. The Leader Of The Cenation has posted a photo that shows a figure hitting another person with a steel chair, captioned by the phrase “heel turn.”
Cena could be referring to a number of things; likely last night’s controversy with Roman Reigns and Samoa Joe’s main event match at Backlash. Fans started to walk out of the arena in protest of Reigns’ continuing to be shoved down their throats – not to mention the match was a snoozer. Many have called for The Big Dog to turn heel instead of being pushed as WWE’s top babyface.
He could also be referring to the hype from fans to have himself turn heel. This has been an ongoing debate for years now, so perhaps Cena is simply having his fun with fans’ minds and making them speculate. You be the judge:
WWE and WCW Legend Vader has been battling severe health issues as of late and has been keeping fans updated via social media. He recently took to Twitter and noted that he’s hoping to get a medical release soon that will allow him to continue wrestling:
Former ECW World Champion Bobby Lashley made his return to the WWE last month on the night after WrestleMania 34 in New Orleans when he interrupted Elias and delivered a massive Suplex.
As of late Lashley seems to have developed an alliance with Braun Strowman on Monday Night RAW, as the pair defeated Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn at last night’s Backlash pay-per-view (PPV) event.
One thing that some WWE fans are wondering about, however, are why commentators on RAW aren’t mentioning Lashley’s previous success with the company. Per Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer Radio, it turns out that they want to flush out his relationship with current United States President Donald Trump.
Trump, who is a WWE Hall Of Famer in the celebrity wing, is currently a very controversial figure in the country. He selected Bobby Lashley to represent him at the Battle Of The Billionaires for WrestleMania 23 over 10 years ago.
Although this happened over a decade ago, WWE doesn’t seem to want to offend anybody by bringing up Lashley’s past and possible rekindling the memory that Lashley and Trump were aligned together on WWE TV.
WWE’s next pay-per-view offering, Money in the Bank, takes place from Chicago, Illinois at the Allstate Arena on Sunday, June 17th.
After last year’s event featured the the first-ever Women’s Money in the Bank match, there are a few indications that the 2018 installment will feature a third MITB briefcase up for grabs. As seen below, advertising for the show features three briefcases – red, white and blue.
For what it’s worth, the Allstate Arena website states, “For the first time ever … a men’s and women’s ladder match with Superstars from Raw and SmackDown Live.”
Last year Carmella won the first-ever female MITB ladder match and would cash-in last month to win the SmackDown Live Women’s Championship from Charlotte Flair. Baron Corbin won the men’s MITB ladder match, but failed to cash it in on Jinder Mahal during an episode of SmackDown Live.
It should be interesting to see who leaves the Allstate Arena with the briefcases this year.
WWE’s hit reality series Total Divas on the E! Network has been renewed for two more seasons. Season 8 premieres this fall.
According to a press release sent out by WWE, the cast will include familiar faces “and even a blast from the past.” The show follows “several powerful and inspiring” female Superstars and gives viewers an exclusive look inside their professional and personal lives.
Amy Introcaso-Davis, E!’s Executive Vice President of Development and Production, said, “We are thrilled to have celebrated the 100th episode of this popular franchise and are grateful to announce two additional seasons. The series will continue to give a rare glimpse at a beloved cast of strong, diverse women whose big personalities, unique relationships and aspirational lifestyles have proven to resonate with our audience.”
E! cameras were on hand during WrestleMania 34 weekend from New Orleans. Based on tweets from the Superstars over the past several months, Natalya, Naomi, Lana, Paige, Sonya Deville and Liv Morgan are expected to be part of Season 8.
Total Bellas, the Total Divas spinoff series about Nikki and Brie Bella, returns to E! on Sunday, May 20, at 9/8 CT for Season 3.
Popular reality shows Undercover Boss and Carpool Karaoke will soon feature WWE-themed episodes.
Carpool Karaoke
WWE Superstars Charlotte, Becky Lynch, Nia Jax, Naomi, Natalya and The New Day were in New york City on Monday filming for the Apple Music series Carpool Karaoke.
Go on a star-studded, song-filled car ride in this original series. Each episode features an unexpected celebrity pairing sharing a car, singing along to their personal playlists, and embarking on adventures.
CBS released a teaser for the upcoming season of Undercover Boss, which features footage shot at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, FL.
The new season, which premieres on May 11th, features a special ‘Celebrity’ theme, with famous people going undercover to seek potential seeking talent to appear in their own upcoming projects. Celebrities featured in the promo include NFL legend Deon Sanders, Broadway star Idina Menzel, Olympic Gold Medal gymnast Gabby Douglas and more.
No word yet on when the WWE-themed episode will air, but we’ll provide an update when that information is available.
Major League Wrestling’s rapid expansion continues. Following up on the successful launch of the new FUSION television series, the promotion has announced a live event from New York City coming this summer.
MLW invades the new Melrose Ballroom in Long Island City on Thursday, July 19th. This event will be a television taping for MLW FUSION.
Tickets go on sale this Saturday, May 12 at 10 AM ET at MLWTickets.com.
MLW talent signed on to appear include:
MLW World Heavyweight Champion Shane Strickland
Pentagon Jr.
Rey Fenix
MVP
Barrington Hughes
Maxwell J. Friedman
Sami Callihan
Salina de la Renta
ACH
Catch Major League Wrestling: FUSION Friday nights at 8pm ET / 5pm PT on beIN SPORTS.Learn more about MLW’s new TV series: MLW.com/fusion.
This past Friday was May 4th, prompting everyone and their mother to tell me “May the 4th be with you,” a clever little pun in reference to Star Wars. Well, on the May 4th edition of MLW Fusion, there were certainly of lot of STARS having a lot of WARS in the ring.
Yes, that was the best way I could think to start this column. My apologies.
My corny joke aside, there were certainly a lot of feuds being revved up this week. Let’s break it down.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49p0b4hSrgY
The show starts in the arena. Jimmy Havoc comes down to the ring. We see footage of a brawl between Havoc and Joey Janela from Walemania. Havoc gets on the mic and calls Janela out. Janela comes out. The two men brawl into the crowd and to the back of the arena. That’s the last we see of them.
Low Ki comes out next in an outfit that says “I may be a contract killer, but I like to look professional.” A video package shows a previous incident that he had backstage with MVP. During the melee, Low Ki attacked an MLW matchmaker. Announcers Tony Schiavone and Rich Bocchini tell us Low Ki was suspended by MLW for the attack on the official. Back in the ring, Low Ki gets a mic and complains about the suspension. He says that his stable, Black Friday Management, always collects its debts and will collect its debt from MVP. MVP doesn’t like the sound of that and makes his way down to the ring, but his opponent for the night, Sami Callahan, comes from behind him. Oh God, he’s a got a bat! Oh, thank God, he’s only choking MVP with it, not trying to bash his eye out. The chaos is broken up and we go to the opening video package.
Schiavone and Bocchini welcome us and talk about the main event between MVP and Callihan.
Simon Gotch vs. ACH
“Filthy” Tom Lawlor comes out with Team Filthy, which includes the former Vaudevillain, Simon Gotch, and another man whose name is not acknowledged. Lawlor says that due to his injured left forearm, he cannot compete tonight against ACH, therefore Gotch will fight in his place.
ACH comes out next. The ref helps him spar before the bell rings. That’s something I’ve never seen before.
The two competitors start off with a collar and elbow tie up and some chain wrestling. Gotch gets ACH into a cross armbreaker but ACH escapes. Gotch breaks ACH down with a European uppercut, stomps, and kicks. He eventually traps ACH in a chinlock using his legs. ACH gets a rope break. Gotch locks in another rest hold but ACH elbows his way out of it. He comes back with chops but Gotch kicks him in the face. We go to commercial.
When we come back, Schiavone is talking about rope breaks. A rope break must have occurred during the commercial, but we don’t get that context. I’m not a fan of commercials during wrestling matches, but at least WWE will have its announcers tell you what happened while you were watching the 900th commercial promoting the show about 2Pac and Biggie.
Gotch throws ACH with a gutwrench suplex followed by some corner stomps. With the ref distracted, Lawlor chokes ACH with his left hand. The announcers speculate whether Lawlor’s left forearm injury is real. If history is any indicator, I would say “no” (see Orton, “Cowboy” Bob).
ACH gets control back by kicking Gotch’s leg out from under him and booting him with a basement single leg dropkick. Gotch stops an ACH attack, hits a sunset flip with a roll through, and kicks ACH. Gotch attempts a German suplex, but ACH rolls through, grabs Gotch’s legs, and gets the three count.
The rest of Team Filthy fly into the ring and beat up ACH. Lawlor uses his flip flops as weapons and Schiavone sells it like he’s using a steel chair. Team Filthy make their way to the top of the aisle where they’re interviewed by Andrea Ocampo. Gotch says that ACH is going to the ICU and Lawlor says he’s five million times better than the man his team just left lying in the ring.
Schiavone runs down the MLW Top 10 rankings. The list includes:
Pentagon Jr.
Jimmy Havoc
MVP
Low Ki
Tom Lawlor
Sami Calligan
Rey Fenix
Jeff Cobb (Lucha Underground’s Matanza Cueto)
Joey Janela
Barrington Hughes
The champion that these 10 men are all after is, of course, Shane “Swerve” Strickland.
Speaking of Swerve, we get a video package in which the champ says he’s fighting for his kids. Hey, that’s what MVP said last week! They both can’t fight for their kids! One of them is going to have to be selfish and fight for themselves.
A commercial for the June 7 MLW TV taping airs. On that night, the first ever MLW Tag Team Champions will be crowned.
The show comes back with a promo package from Maxwell Jacob Friedman, who does the same 1% gimmick as EC3. In fact, he has a striking resemblance to Dixie’s nephew. MJF tells the home viewers that if the roles were reversed, they’d be like him, but unfortunately, they’re not. Schiavone calls him an “egotistical little jerk.” There’s something charming about Tony Schiavone getting angry. I can’t wait until the day that someone in MLW does something so egregious that Schiavone condemns them “straight to hell.”
Vandal Ortagun vs. “One Man Demolition Machine” Mike Parrow
Ortagun is a Turkish kickboxer while Parrow is just a big s—kicker. Ortagun gets a tiny bit of offense in here and there. However, Parrow just ends it with a barrage of power moves, including a fallaway slam into the corner, a gorilla press, a chokeslam, and finally a sit out powerbomb, which garners him the three count. During the match, Colonel Rob Parker came out to observe the 300-pound Parrow. With the match over, Parrow meets the Colonel in the aisle and they shake hands. It looks like Parker has another big hoss in his Stud Stable.
Andrea Ocampo is in the back with Salina de la Renta. De la Renta is distracted by something off camera, which turns out to be Shane Strickland. She tells Strickland not to get too comfortable with the World Heavyweight Title around his waist and then flashes the “Cero Miedo” hand sing.
Next up is a promo from Havoc. He tells Janela that whenever they fight, they bring out the best and worse in each other and Havoc learns something new about himself every time. Havoc proclaims himself the King and says that Janela will experience havoc the next time they step into the ring together. He threatens that Janela will bleed, so he better “bring a towel” because he’s going to lick all of the blood off of him. He licks his lips and I am officially uncomfortable.
Ocampo knocks on Team Filthy’s dressing room door and notifies Lawlor that MLW officials have proclaimed him healthy enough to compete next week against ACH. Lawlor gets indignant. Gotch tricks Ocampo into thinking he’ll talk to her outside but then slams the door on her.
We are shown a recap of Sami Callihan’s attack on MVP from the start of the show. Callihan cuts a promo in the back where he makes fun of MLW’s production (see, it’s not just me). He says he gets off on pissing people off and running their day. If that’s the case, then he must have been rock hard when he busted Eddie Edwards’ eye with the baseball bat. He makes fun of MVP’s redemption story and tells MVP that he’ll have to tell his son that he’s a failure. Man, this guy is a d—. He ends by saying he’ll be the MLW Champion.
Sami Callihan vs. MVP
While Callihan makes his way down to the ring, Schiavone and Bocchini wonder what kind of bat Callihan is using. With his baseball background, I trust Schiavone’s analysis when it comes to bats. If he ever goes into a soliloquy about lattes, my ears will be perked.
MVP doesn’t wait for his entrance as he storms the ring and goes right for Callihan. They brawl to the outside. MVP tries to chop Callihan but misses and chops the ring post instead. Callihan rams his head into the post and MVP collapses into a fan’s chair. Callihan orders the fans out of his way. He runs to the seated MVP and connects with a discus elbow. I really thought something more devastating was going to happen there. He runs at MVP again, but the former WWE US Champ, trips Callihan and sends him face first into the chair.
MVP throws Callihan back into the ring, but man from Anonymous, Ohio rolls to the outside. MVP follows and is met with Steven Seagal-like eye gouging from his opponent. Bocchini says they’re tied in the Top 10 rankings. Wait a sec…
3. MVP
6. Callihan
Nope, not tied, Rich.
Callihan gets back in the ring and the ref starts a 20 count on MVP, who’s in pain on the outside.
After a commercial break, Callihan rips off MVP’s Breathe Right strip. That’s just too far. You can tell a man he’ll be a failure to his children, but you DON’T pull off his Breathe Right strip!
MVP gets the advantage with a delayed vertical suplex. Callihan sends MVP to the outside. He jumps off the apron for an attack but MVP catches him and slams him with an apron uranage. Both men are on the floor now and get back in right before the ref’s 20 count is over. They get to their feet and trade punches. MVP goes for a kick but Callihan punches him in the leg. He comes off the rope but is thrown with a release belly to belly suplex. MVP chops him in the throat, drives his knee into his face, and drops the Ballin’ Elbow. He covers with a fisherman suplex for two. He sits Callihan on the top rope and climbs to the second rope. Callihan slips down to the mat and tries to pull MVP down with a powerbomb but MVP holds on. Callihan goes between MVP’s legs and kicks his left ankle out from under him. He gets MVP on his shoulders and brings him down with a Samoan driver.
Callihan finds his bat in the corner and picks it up. The ref tries to take it away without success. MVP grabs the bat and the two men fight over it, which ends when MVP pushes Callihan into the ref. The mishap allows MVP to execute the Playmaker. However, with the ref incapacitated, a huge mystery man runs down to the ring and strikes MVP with a falling side slam. The ref comes to and Callihan covers, but only gets two. MVP makes one last stand with a fireman’s carry cutter and right hand to the mystery man. When he turns around, Callihan gives him a low blow, allowing him to execute the Cranial Contusion and grab the victory. He celebrates the win with the mystery man, who carries him out of the arena.
The announcers hype next week’s fights between Havoc and Janela and Lawlor and ACH.
In the back, Ocampo interviews Shane Strickland, who says he feels confident. He steps into his dressing room but finds something that stops him in his tracks. The camera enters the room and we see a shrine on the wall containing candles, skulls, and pictures of Strickland. The image of a skull is on the mirror, and the last image we see is of Strickland looking into the mirror. From the angle of the shot, Strickland’s face lines right up with the skull, as if Pentagon is sending the message that Strickland’s fate will be sure death. I’m sure he won’t kill him. I’m sure he just wants the title, right? Right???
Final Thoughts
Like I said at the start of this column, this week’s show built up a lot of feuds, including Havoc vs. Janela, Team Filthy vs. ACH, and MVP vs. Callihan. The chaotic atmosphere was established at the beginning of the show, and except for the squash match in the middle, it kept up until the end of the main event.
Mike Parrow was impressive in his big man role. If he becomes the new addition to Stud Stable, who knows how much power Colonel Parker can amass. Perhaps he can bring the big guy to the World Title; or maybe the big guy will have a hand in the Dirty Blondes becoming the first Tag Team Champions.
The build to the upcoming title match between Strickland and Pentagon is coming along nicely, with Pentagon now playing mind games with the champ. I’m excited to see what happens in the next few weeks.
