Posted on 6/13/126 by Bob Magee
– We kicked off tonight with a recap of last week’s
extracurricular activity between Cody Rhodes, Gunther, and
Sami Zayn. After that, we cut to Rhodes arriving to the
arena as Nick Aldis informed him that we’d hear from Gunther
tonight regarding the stipulation. As Aldis left, Rhodes was
confronted by the Usos. Despite the friendly fistbumps, Jey
Uso reminded Rhodes that if he won King of the Ring, he’d be
gunning for his Undisputed WWE Title. Rhodes said that he
hoped it was Jey’s decision, and not Roman Reigns calling
the shots on Jey’s behalf.
– Jade Cargill was interviewed ahead of her Queen of the
Ring fatal four-way which was opening our night. Cargill
said that she was coming for Rhea Ripley at SummerSlam if
she won.
Queen of the Ring Fatal Four-Way Qualifier: Charlotte Flair
vs. Jade Cargill vs. Sol Ruca vs. Lyra Valkyria
This match got underway as Cargill struck Flair with a hard
elbow to the face. Valkyria, Ruca, and Flair then decided to
team up on Cargill. The double suplex by Ruca and Flair got
turned into a two-for-one by Cargill, as she followed that
with a Fallaway Slam on Valkyria right into Ruca. That only
left Cargill and Flair in the ring and the two didn’t waste
any time in fighting one another. Chops by flair as she hit
a Fallaway of her own on Cargill. Suplex attempt by Flair
stopped by Michin and B-Fab, who pulled her out of the ring
and stomped on her. That was until Alexa Bliss ran in and
went after the Baddies. When the numbers were too much,
Tiffany Stratton decided to help even the odds for Bliss.
Stratton fought Michin into the crowd as Bliss took B-Fab
into the crow, which took us into the commercial break.
Back from the break as Cargill nearly got rolled-up into a
pin by Ruca, but she kicked out in time. Ruca chopped at
Cargill’s chest, as she went for a crossbodf. Cargill caught
her and rolled through it, but Valkyria dropkicked her
before she could hit the slam. Suplex by Valkyria to Ruca
before Cargill got her for a suplex attempt. Valkyria
countered it into a DDT, but it opened her up to Flair’s
Natural Selection. The cover, but Ruca broke up the count.
In the corner, Flair flipped over and got Ruca with the big
boot. On the top rope, but Ruca intercepted her and leapt on
the rope. Her move was stopped as Valkyria kicked her aside.
On the top now, but Cargill intercepted and hit an unsual
powerbomb. Flair managed to kick out of that.
Flair got Cargill with a massive forearm, as she followed
that with the walkover clothesline. Figure-Eight, but Ruca
got her with the missile dropkick as she kipped up to her
feet. She had Cargill in sight, but Valkyria rolled her up
for a pin, forcing a kickout. Valkyria knocked Ruca down and
wiped out Cargill with a suicide dive. Ruca on the top rope
as she took everyone out with a moonsault at ringside. She
put Valkyria back in the ring and hit the springboard frog
splash. One, two… no! We took another break in the action at
this point.
This opening bout returned from the break as Ruca kicked out
of a Cargill pinfall attempt. Cargill went to the top rope
looking for some high-risk damage at Ruca’s expense, but
Flair intercepted her at the pass. Flair looked to have the
superplex as Ruca joined her and helped Flair hit the
superplex on Cargill. A fresh Valkyria tried to pin Ruca in
the wreckage, but she kicked out. Ruca took off on the apron
for a springboard lariat on both Flair and Valkyria, but
that opened her up to a Cargill pump kick. Cargill then
connected with Jaded on Flair. One, two… Valkyria broke it
up at two! Night Wing attempt, but Cargill fended her off.
That got her wide open for the Sol Snatcher! One, two….
Valkyria broke it up again! Natural Selection by Flair, but
that was a kickout! Things quickened significantly as Flair
finished this off with a Figure-Eight Leg Lock on Valkyria
to advance to the Queen of the Ring Semifinals.
Charlotte Flair def. Lyra Valkyria, Jade Cargill, & Sol Ruca
via submission to advance to the Queen of the Ring
Semifinals
Terrifically fun fatal four-way match to kick us off
tonight. Sol Ruca, in particular, looked especially great in
this one, especially in the latter stages of the bout.
**********
– Backstage, Tiffany Stratton was interviewed just as B-Fab
and Michin was about to ambush her. That was until a very
angry Chelsea Green, brandishing a kendo stick, yelled a
whole bunch and fended off the Baddies in the process.
– Jacob Fatu was told by Jimmy Uso that Jey Uso was gonna
handle business on his own later tonight. Fatu said that
they can do that, while he had some other business to attend
to.
– Carmelo Hayes was shown paying a visit to the New England
Patriots’ training camp, as the majority of the team were
shown in the crowd afterwards.
– A vignette for Blake Monroe where she focused on Charlotte
Flair was shown. Monroe said that true stars shined alone as
friends was something she didn’t bother with. She was still
supposedly coming soon despite having shown up backstage
three weeks ago.
– Nick Aldis was confronted by Gunther, who said that for
Cody Rhodes’ title defense next week, he couldn’t trust
Aldis’ officials, so he was going to make the pick himself
later on.
– Finn Balor was interviewed until R-Truth interrupted and
said that Judgment Day was back together again, until Damian
Priest showed up. Balor still felt uneasy about Priest and
left. We learned that Priest and Truth were going to defend
the WWE Tag Team Titles against the M.F.T.s next week.
Priest said that he only needed him and Truth.
Brie Bella & Paige vs. Fatal Influence (Lainey Reed & Fallon
Henley)
Henley went after Brie to start, but she was met with a
flying clothesline from the veteran. Side Russian legsweep
by Brie into a quick cover attempt. Paige tagged in as the
Women’s Tag Champs hit a double bulldog on Henley. Running
knee by Paige to Henley seemed to keep things under control
for the champs, but Reid tagged in as Brie hit her with the
kicks to the chest. Henley tried to help but got hit with
dropkicks. Reid flattened with the “YES!” Kicks as Paige
battered Henley with knees on the apron. Jacy Jayne tripped
up Brie with the ref’s back turned as Reid pounded on Brie.
Fatal Influence kept Brie isolated for a bit, as Henley
struck her with a hard rib shot to the gut. Brie with the
tag to Paige, but Reid kept the ref distracted, which
invalidated the tag. Fatal Influence maintained their
control as we took a commercial break.
Back from break as Brie attempted to fight out of enemy
territory. Reid attempted a suplex from the apron, but Paige
blocked it. She slid underneath both Reid and Henley and
tagged in Paige. Snap German suplex by Paige to Reid. She
applied the P.T.O. on Reid, which forced Henley to break the
hold. Henley got thrown out as Paige connected with
Rampaige. One, two… Henley broke up the count. Dropkick by
Brie Bella to Henley, but Reid hit her with the knee. Roll-
up by Paige, but the referee waas slightly distracted. Brie
Bella was unintentionally distracting the referee once more,
just as Paige had the P.T.O. locked in on Henley. Jacy Jayne
pulled Henley but was caught in the referee’s view. As Jayne
was being ejected, Henley had the rollup on Paige, but Brie
turned it into a pin for Paige behind the referee’s back.
The cover, and the win for the Women’s Tag Champs.
Paige & Brie Bella def. Fatal Influence via pinfall
This was an alright match. Paige and Brie Bella using
veteran instinct to outsmart the Fatal Influence was a neat
finish.
**********
– Sami Zayn was again lamenting his fate with Johnny Gargano
and he resolved to talk wtih Cody once and for all.
– Danhausen was in his lab as Los Garza begged him to
uncurse the San Antonio Spurs ahead of Game 5 of the NBA
Finals Tomorrow. Meanwhile, Kit Wilson asked Danhausen to
revert The Miz, who has apparently just been left in a state
of reciting his catchphrases endlessly. Wilson tried to shut
down Danhausen’s experiments, but got electrocuted for his
troubles. Danhausen just casually walked off, leaving a
charred Wilson down and out in the lab.
Sami Zayn wants to clear the air with Cody Rhodes
The “Last Real Good Guy” came to the ring wanting to talk to
Cody Rhodes.
Zayn said that it was a bit of a strange reaction from the
Providence crowd. He didn’t want to compare the European
crowds to America’s crowds, but the Ride or Dies showed up
for him in Europe. Zayn said that the Providence crowd could
either sit and be sour or be a Ride or Die with the “Last
Real Good Guy”.
Zayn said that he was out here because something was brewing
for months and months and he wanted to clear the air with
one Cody Rhodes. The Undisputed WWE Champion and self-
proclamed made his way down to the ring, three-piece suit
and all.
Rhodes promptly asked Sami Zayn “what do you wanna talk
about?” Zayn said that he wanted to have an earnest
conversation with him, as it was a series of
misunderstandings that’s been happening in the past few
months. Zayn believed that he was paying the price for
helping Rhodes all these months.
Zayn said that Rhodes made him feel like the worst person in
the world when he was forced to walk away after Gunther was
choking Rhodes out, even though Rhodes deserved it. Last
week, he did decide to help, but paid the price for it. All
Zayn wanted to know was the truth.
Rhodes said that Zayn needed to have pro wrestling to
explain it for him, even though he should know better by
now. Rhodes wondered if Zayn was asking to turned it off.
Zayn stated that he was there first to help Cody Rhodes at
WrestleMania 40, even though he was right to have sour
grapes in the processes. He was happy for Rhodes because he
was a good guy. He talked about the people listed like Kevin
Owens, John Cena, Randy Orton, among others and how many of
them were still Rhodes’ friends.
Rhodes said that he wasn’t able to be honest with those
names but now he was going to be honest with Zayn. The truth
according to Rhodes: the crowd views that Sami Zayn sucks
because he’s become whiny and desperate as of late. Rhodes
apologized by stating that he had the Undisputed World
Title, and that Zayn never will. An angered Zayn slapped
Rhodes in the face, as he tried to apologize right away and
begged off. The crowd chanted “Sami Sucks” as Rhodes slapped
him right back.
“We good?” asked Rhodes as Zayn left the ring to grab a
chair. Zayn dropped the chair and promptly left the ringside
area.
This was an excellent segment. Lots of tension, and this
heel character for Zayn is fantastic work from him. Just
good stuff all along.
**********
– Jacob Fatu approached Solo Sikoa and told him that Roman
Reigns needed him to come home. Sikoa refused as he wondered
what happened to Sikoa, stating that Reigns has done nothing
but embarrass and humiliate him . Sikoa said that how Reigns
treated him was not how to treat someone he loved. Sikoa
told Fatu said that he can tell Roman to go to hell. Fatu
answered by talking about how he stood on business and that
if the O.T.C. sent him after Solo, he’ll do it. Sikoa
answered by stating that if Reigns wanted him to come home,
Roman can do it himself.
AAA Cruiserweight Championship: Rey Fenix (c) vs. Axiom
This match got under way as Fenix got a leaping Axiom with a
dropkick. This was followed by an incredible dive through
the middle rope onto Axiom outside the ring. Fenix leapt
from a springboard position, but Axiom caught hhim . Some
crisp action as Fenix and Axiom traded blistering counters
back-and-fourth. Suplex by Axiom was followed by a running
soccer-style kick to the chest of Fenix. Axiom caught Fenix
in a Fujiwara armbar, but the AAA Cruiserweight Champ broke
it up by reaching the ropes. Axiom avoided a leap from Fenix
as he met him with a dropkick that forced the champion out
of the ring. Axiom followed it with a leaping moonsault from
the springboard to the outside on Fenix and that was the cue
for the commercial after a sports presentation-inspired
replay.
We returned from the break as Fenix escaped an Axiom hold
momentarily. The leap from the corner, but Axiom caught him
in a sleeper hold instead. Fenix fought fire with fire as he
hit Axiom with strikes, followed with the feint spinning
kick. On the top rope, Axiom intercepted Fenix, but the
Spanish Fly attempt was blocked. It left him in position
across the top rope for an Adios, Amigo kick from Fenix,
followed by the crossbody for the two-count.
Spin kick by Fenix as his springboard was met by Axiom who
slid in-between Fenix’s legs for a modified German suplex of
sorts. Missile dropkick by Axiom got a near-fall. In the
corner, Axiom had Fenix in sight for the Golden Ratio, but
Fenix dodged it at the last second as he connected with the
Brainbuster for a near-fall. Axiom rolled Fenix through for
the cross-armbreaker, but Axiom turned that into a pin
attempt. Axiom missed with the kick int he corner, which
opened him up to Fenix’ spinning Animo Kick. Fenix got up on
the middle rope as he and Axiom dueled until a Spanish Fly
from the top nearly had the match won for the challenger.
Another spinning Animo Kick by Fenix, followed by one more,
which left Axiom wide open for the Mexican Muscle Buster and
the three to retain the AAA Cruiserweight Title.
Rey Fenix def. Axiom via pinfall to retain the AAA
Cruiserweight Championship
A solid match that really highlights the need for Fenix to
be used more often. This was a heck of a match and I enjoyed
every minute of it. Tremendous.
**********
– Gunther talked to Nick Aldis and said that the decision
for guest referee was someone who was the last real good
guy… Sami Zayn. This title match for next week was now made
official.
Trick Williams holds court on SmackDown
The United States Champion was, of course, flanked by his
good buddy Li’l Yachty to a great ovation from the
Providence Crowd.
Yachty did his introduction, but Williams cut him short
there, stating that he lost last week in the King of the
Ring qualifier. He didn’t like it, but it woke up something
in him and brought a fire in him that he hadn’t felt in a
long time. It made him want to level up to bring SmackDown
to new heights. Williams said he was the leader of the new
school, and the fact that he lost last week pissed him off.
It made him want to step up his game, because his name was
Trick Williams. He was the United States Champion, Hollywood
Trick, Mr. Lemon Peppa Steppa, and “Trick James”.
Ricky Saints interrupted the proceedings, but not before
Carmelo Hayes showed up to upstage Saints. Hayes brushed off
Saints as he walked down to the ring and confronted
Williams. Before he could go on, Saints asked for a mic.
Hayes demanded that Williams pick somebody to be a contender
for the U.S. Championship. Saints complained that he beat
Hayes, which meant he was the one to face Williams. Hayes
and Williams kept arguing with one another until Williams
told the two to shut up.
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Williams said that their bickering didn’t matter because
he’d stomp either one of them. He said that until they
figured it out, shut up while grown folks are talking. Hayes
was pushed into Williams by Saints, as the former U.S. Champ
battered his new rival. Williams stormed back in and laid
both men out, showing Hayes and Saints who the true champion
was.
I do like this feud, but it feels like it’s kind of going
around in a circle until the inevitable triple threat match
is announced.
**********
– Royce Keys was approached by Solo Sikoa, who warned him
that the Bloodline was around to help Jey Uso to win. Sikoa
said that Jacob Fatu was too far gone, and that he
apparently didn’t want Keys to be a casualty in Roman’s war.
Chelsea Green & Tiffany Stratton vs. B-Fab & Michin
Stratton and Michin got things off for this tag match as the
legal women. Stratton somersaulted over Michin and hit her
with a clothesline afterwards. Stratton avoided Michin on
opposite corners before she connected with the floatover
cartwheel Alabama Slam. Green slid in for the tag and
handled Michin for a bit until B-Fab got the tag. The
Baddies hit the double team on Green, who was hit with a
double flapjack. Michin took Stratton off the apron with a
strike, which left Green alone as we took a weirdly-timed
timeout for ads.
Back to this tag match as Green tried to fight back against
Michin, but got pushed into the corner instead. Green was on
the top rope as Michin hit her with a hurricanrana for the
near-fall. Green threw Michin overhead with a Northern
Lights suplex, as B-Fab tried to stop Green’s advance to her
corner. Green sent Michin out of the ring and B-Fab ran into
the ringpost shoulder-first. Just as the tag was made, Jade
Cargill pulled Stratton off the apron. This left Green open
for Michin’s Styles Clash.
After the match, The Baddies attacked Stratton three-on-one.
Michin & B-Fab def. Chelsea Green & Tiffany Stratton via
pinfall
Although I’m not really fond of The Baddies faction, I have
to admit that Michin and B-Fab are getting a bit of shine as
a result of this and a Women’s U.S. Title feud for Cargill
isn’t a bad place for her right now.
**********
– Backstage, Giulia confronted Kiana James, stating that she
needed James help with English and finding herself, but not
being a fighter. Giulia said that James was using her all
along. Now that her English was a whole lot bette, Giulia
finally had the words to James: a hard slap across the face.
– Cody Rhodes had some concerns with the decision of Sami
Zayn being the guest referee for his title match against
Gunther next week. Lucky for him, Zayn was right there and
he said that he was a wreck and that his emotions were all
over the place. He wished Rhodes next week, his intentions
still unclear.
Next Week on SmackDown:
Undisputed WWE Championship (Sami Zayn as the Guest
Referee): Cody Rhodes (c) vs. Gunther
Ricky Saints vs. Carmelo Hayes (Winner faces Trick Williams
for the WWE U.S. Championship at Night of Champions)
WWE Tag Team Championships: R-Truth & Damian Priest (c) vs.
The M.F.T.s
Queen of the Ring Semifinals: Charlotte Flair vs. Liv Morgan
King of the Ring Fatal Four-Way: Royce Keys vs. Finn Balor
vs. Jey Uso vs. L.A. Knight
Before the match, Knight had his theme play again until Jey
hit him from behind as the match got underway. Keys
clotheslined both Knight and Jey as he then did the same to
Balor. Double clothesline against to Knight and Jey from
Balor that sent the two out of the ring. Balor went up and
over to take out everyone as we took a timeout.
We came back from the comercial as Balor went after Knight
with stomps to the chest before Keys entered the fray and
clubbed him with a strike. Suplex by Keys attempted, but
Balor escaped. However, Balor ended up running into the
brick wall that is Royce Keys instead. Uso tried his hand to
take down Keys, but a Spinebuster by Keys put him down. The
cover, but Knight broke it up. Jumping elbow by Knight to
Keys, followed by stomps in the corner. Knight attempted a
running attack, but he got mashed by Keys’ clothesline. The
powerhouse powerslam by Keys, but Balor broke up the count.
On the top rope, Balor went for a diving attack, but he got
caught by Keys for the backbreaker. Keys draped Balor across
the top turnbucke to batter him as Knight and Jey got taken
down by the big man. Back in the corner, Keys lifted Balor
up for the avalanche Top Choice Royce Slam. The cover, but
Knight recovered to break the pin up. Outside the ring, Keys
drove Knight spine-first into the LED ringpost. Superkick by
Jey Uso on Keys, but the dive to the outside was stopped.
Jey got yeeted into the apron and steel steps by Keys. Jimmy
Uso stared down Keys as Solo Sikoa emerged from the back and
we took another commercial break.
This high-stakes main event returned as Balor took down Keys
with a shot to the face. However, the dive by Balor was
caught by Keys, who slammed him on the apron. Superkick by
Jey Uso on Keys, as all four men were caught in the ringside
area. Knight and Uso yelled at one another until Balor got
them to team up momentarily on Keys. They rearranged the
furniture and delivered a Shield-style triple powerbomb on
Keys through the announce table!
In the ring, Knight and Jey fought in the ring as they
exchanged strikes. Uso won out in that exchange until Balor
stepped in and took both men out with neckbreakers. Jey Uso
broke up Balor’s pin on Knight and paid for it with a
Slingblade. Shotgun Dropkick was met with Jey’s tried-and-
tested superkick. Balor answered with one more Slingblade,
followed by the Shotgun Dropkick. Balor headed up top for
the Coup de Grace, but Knight tried and failed to stop him.
Coup De Grace on Jey by Balor. The cover, but Keys pulled
him out.
In the ring, Knight hit Keys with an inverted neckbreaker,
followed by the “Megastar” Elbow from the middle rope. Keys
in position for the B.F.T., but he blocked it. Samoan Spike
by Sikoa on Knight led to the Spinebuster from Keys.
However, Jey Uso headed up top and hit the Uso Splash and
pinned Knight to get the victory. Uso will face Je’von Evans
in the semifinals next week.
Jey Uso def. LA Knight, Royce Keys, & Finn Balor to advance
to the King of the Ring Semifinals