TNA Slammiversary 2024 took place tonight from Montreal, Quebec, Canada, but what happened on the PPV card?
There were a number of massive matches confirmed ahead of the event, with the main event seeing TNA Champion Moose defend his title against Josh Alexander, Steve Maclinl, Nic Nemeth, Frankie Kazarian and Joe Hendry in a Six-Man Elimination Match.
Knockouts Champion Jordynne Grace also put her title on the line against former WWE Superstar Ash By Elegance, and X-Division Champion Mustafa Ali faced Speedball Mike Bailey.
We’ll be updating this page throughout the night as the results come in!
TNA Slammiversary Results
Here are all of the results from the PPV event:
Matt Hardy b. JDC – Hardy took the win with the Twist of Fate
TNA Tag Team Championship Match:ABC b. The System (c) – ABC got the win following the Art of Finesse and The Fold NEW CHAMPS!
Mike Santana b. Jake Something – Santana took the win after hitting his Spin The Block finisher.
The Rascalz (Trey Miguel, Zachary Wentz and Wes Lee b. NXT Superstars No Quarter Catch Crew (Charlie Dempsey, Tavion Heights and Myles Borne) – Wentz got the win for his team with the pinfall over Heights.
TNA Digital Media Championship & International Heavyweight Championship Match:PCO b. AJ Francis (c) – PCO takes the win with a Moonsault to become the NEW Digital Media and International Heavyweight Champion!
Knockouts Championship Match: Jordynne Grace (c) b. Ash By Elegance – Grace would take the win after hitting the Juggernaut Driver in the center of the ring to retain her Knockouts title.
X-Division Championship Match:“Speedball” Mike Bailey b. Mustafa Ali (c) – Speedball would take the win with a Sharpshooter following a Montreal Screwjob throwback (with Earl Hebner included).
TNA World Championship – Six-Man Elimination Match: Nic Nemeth b. Moose (c), Josh Alexander, Steve Maclin, Frankie Kazarian and Joe Hendry – Nic Nemeth would get the win after defeating Kazarian with the Danger Zone once the rest of the field had been eliminated. NEW CHAMP!
TNA Slammiversary Coverage
SEScoops is your source for TNA Slammiversary 2024 news and results this weekend. Head over to our TNA News section for the fallout.
If you weren’t able to catch the event live and you are hoping to catch it back on demand, then TrillerTV and the TNA+ streaming service are your best options, as both will carry the entire card available for unlimited replays after the fact.
On this week’s episode of SmackDown, Rhodes teamed with Kevin Owens to face A-Town Down Under. Despite getting the victory, Rhodes and Owens fell victim to another assault by The Bloodline, who took out Randy Orton on last week’s show.
After SmackDown, Rhodes delivered a superkick to the big PRIME bottle that had been at ringside and joked that he’d ruined any chance of being sponsored by Logan Paul’s energy drink. Rhodes thanked the fans in Omaha for coming out and supporting the show and that it was “exciting” to do the double taping. Cody ended the night by signing autographs and taking pictures much to the delight of the crowd.
Cody was able to have some fun after SmackDown, but things will be all business at SummerSlam 2024. Rhodes will defend the Undisputed WWE Championship at the Biggest Party of the Summer against Solo Sikoa and the Bloodline has continued to have Rhodes’ number in recent weeks. WWE SummerSlam will take place on August 3, from the Cleveland Browns Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio.
Cody Rhodes opens the show, expressing gratitude to Randy Orton, calling him a friend and mentor. Rhodes credits Orton for helping him on his journey to become Undisputed WWE Champion. Austin Theory and Grayson Waller interrupt, accusing Cody of causing their issues with The Bloodline. A brawl ensues, but professional boxer Terence Crawford assists Rhodes by handing him a steel chair to even the odds. Backstage, Nick Aldis informs Cody he must find a partner to face Theory and Waller by the end of the night.
#1. Andrade El Idolo vs. Carmelo Hayes – Winner: Andrade El Idolo
Nia Jax and Bayley Interview
Nia Jax and Bayley engage in a split-screen interview, exchanging harsh words. Jax vows to defeat Bayley and take her title at SummerSlam. Bayley retaliates by calling Jax clumsy and reckless.
#2. Bianca Belair (w/ Jade Cargill) vs. Chelsea Green (w/ Piper Niven) – Winner: Bianca Belair
After the match, Alba Fyre and Isla Dawn appear on the tron, indicating their interest in challenging Belair and Cargill for the titles.
United States Championship Contract Signing
Nick Aldis oversees the contract signing for the United States Championship. LA Knight and Logan Paul exchange heated words, with Knight mocking Paul’s accomplishments and Paul questioning Knight’s relevance. Tensions rise, culminating in Paul blindsiding Knight, but Knight manages to outsmart him, forcing Paul to backtrack.
Tiffany Stratton is distracted by Bayley, who destroys her Money In The Bank briefcase, allowing Michin to secure the victory.
The Bloodline’s Warning
Solo Sikoa and The Bloodline issue a stern warning to anyone who might team up with Cody Rhodes, promising severe consequences.
#4. Cody Rhodes & Kevin Owens vs. Austin Theory & Grayson Waller – Winners: Cody Rhodes & Kevin Owens
Post-match, The Bloodline assaults Kevin Owens and Cody Rhodes, delivering brutal attacks that leave both men incapacitated. Owens suffers multiple hip attacks and a headbutt, while Rhodes is put through the announce table before being rammed into the ring post with a steel chair.
WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan gave an impassioned speech supporting Donald Trump for President at Thursday’s Republican National Convention.
Hogan referenced Madison Square Garden, Macho Man Randy Savage, slamming Andre the Giant. At one point, he ripped off a his shirt to reveal a Trump-Vance shirt underneath, as the crowd chanted “USA, USA!”
He endorsed Trump as a “Trump, calling him ”hero” and “gladiator” who is the right choice in this election to get the America back on track.
NBC News: Hulk Hogan gave what I would say is probably the best speech at this convention so far pic.twitter.com/xAMPmhjIuA
Here are results from this week’s special 250th AEW Dynamite from Little Rock, AK at the Simmons Bank Arena:
[AEW International Championship] Will Ospreay (c) vs. MJF: MJF won the title with two seconds left on the clock in a 60-minute match, (allegedly) cheating by (allegedly) punching Ospreay in the face with his Diamond Ring while the referee was down.
Chris Jericho and The Learning Tree Promo: Interrupted by Minoru Suzuki, who has a contract for a match against Jericho for the FTW Championship with the rest of The Learning Tree banned from ringside. Suzuki sends a message by landing a headbutt on Jericho.
[TBS Women’s Championship] Mercedes Mone (c) vs. Nyla Rose: Winner: Mercedes Mone via submission.
Ringside Attacker: After the match, a fan wearing a Sting mask attacks Mone at ringside, revealed to be Britt Baker. Security quickly separates them.
Mariah May Promo: Dressed as “Timeless” Toni Storm, Mariah May explains her actions and announces her intent to make AEW all about her. She mocks Toni Storm and declares her best performance will be at All In.
Backstage with the Bang Bang Gang: They hand over their Undisputed Trios Championship belts to Christopher Daniels and promise to win the tournament to get them back.
Swerve Strickland vs. Kazuchika Okada: The match ends in a no contest when it’s interrupted by a run-in from The Elite, with Team AEW making the save ahead of Blood & Guts. Darby Allin joins Team AEW by dropping from the rafters! The show ends with both teams fighting while security struggles to intervene. A graphic airs showing Darby Allin as the final member of Team AEW.
The worlds of WWE and Call of Duty will collide later this month when the world’s premiere pro wrestling company “brings its best” to Call of Duty: Season 5 kicking off July 24.
WWE Superstars Cody Rhodes, Rhea Ripley and Rey Mysterio Jr. will be available to play in various game modes, including a Slam Deathmatch mode.
The WWE Superstars will have all of their signature moves in the game. Check out the Undisputed WWE Champion busting out Cross Rhodes:
?THE CROSS RHODES IS IN CALL OF DUTY AS A FINISHER?
Slam Deathmatch is a unique twist on traditional Team Deathmatch, focusing on finishing moves. While weapons can down enemies, points are only earned by executing Finishing Moves, which will be randomized WWE Finishing Moves in upcoming matches. This particular mode will be available exclusively during the in-game WWE SummerSlam event, starting on July 31.
The Call of Duty website has blog post laying out all of the Season 5 content drop for Modern Warfare III, Call of Duty: Warzone, and Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile.
It's about to be a smackdown ?@WWE is bringing its best to the ring in Call of Duty Season 5 starting July 24 ???? pic.twitter.com/AXkfo7Xdcl
Several WWE Supertars Bianca Belair, Becky Lynch, John Cena, and The Rock have all appeared in Fortnite. Lynch and The Undertaker also had customized skins for characters in Rainbow Six Siege.
Want more video game news including the latest about WWE 2K24 and AEW Fight Forever? Head over to our Gaming channel.
Here are WWE NXT results for Tuesday, July 17, 2024 from Orlando, FL:
Six-Man Tag Team Match: The Rascalz vs. Gallus: The Rascalz defeat Gallus by pinfall. Joe Hendry is on commentary during the match.
Backstage in Ava’s Office: Ethan Page and Oro Mensah almost came to blows. Mensah challenges Page for his title, but Ava says Mensah isn’t in the title picture. Page opts to face Dante Chen in a title match instead.
Roxanne PerezIn-Ring Promo: Roxanne talks about her victory over Lola Vice and criticizes upcoming talents like Giulia and Stephanie Vaquer. She calls out Thea Hail, leading to a brawl that is broken up by Ridge Holland.
Interview: Kelani Jordan w/Kelly Kincaid: Kelani Jordan praises Sol Ruca but is interrupted by Wendy Choo.
Interview: Lola Vice: Lola Vice is interrupted by Jacy Jayne, Jasmyn Nyx, and Fallon Henley, who insult her and challenge her to a fight. Vice accepts, targeting Jayne.
Je’Von Evans vs. Brooks Jensen: Je’Von Evans gets the win by pinfall. Post-match, Jensen attacks Evans until Josh Briggs steps in to stop him.
Backstage Segment: Charlie Dempsey and Tony D’Angelo: Charlie Dempsey and Tony D’Angelo discuss last week’s hit on Damon Kemp. Dempsey seeks advice about a witness, Wren Sinclair, but D’Angelo tells him to handle it himself.
Phone Call: Trick Williams and Ilja Dragunov: Trick Williams calls Ilja Dragunov for advice after losing the NXT Championship. Pete Dunne, who is present, tells Williams to “figure it out.”
Ethan Page (c) vs. Dante Chen: Page retains his NXT Championship by defeating Dante Chen by pinfall. Oro Mensah attacks Page after the match.
Backstage with Gallus and Joe Hendry: Gallus complains about Joe Hendry. Hendry declares himself the most talked-about star in NXT, while Gallus asserts their dominance in Scotland and dismisses Hendry as a “flash in the pan.”
Tatum Paxley vs. Izzi Dame: Tatum Paxley defeats Izzi Dame by pinfall. Wendy Choo is present, indicating a partnership with Paxley.
Lola Vice vs. Jacy Jayne: Lola Vice defeated Jacy Jayne by pinfall. Post-match, Sol Ruca and Karmen Petrovic made the save, helping Vice fight off Jayne, Jasmyn Nyx, and Fallon Henley, who attacked Vice after the pinfall.
Backstage Segment: Kelani Jordan and Tatum Paxley: Kelani Jordan bumps into Tatum Paxley backstage. Paxley asks if Jordan wants to play. Jordan replies that they’re too old to be playing with dolls but thanks her for the offer. Paxley angrily throws down Wendy Choo’s doll and picks up one resembling Jordan instead.
Six-Person Mixed Tag Team Match: The O.C. vs. OTM: The O.C. defeated OTM by pinfall.
Backstage Segment: Wren Sinclair and No Quarter Catch Crew: Wren Sinclair approaches No Quarter Catch Crew, expressing her desire to join the faction. The crew is unreceptive, so Sinclair threatens to reveal what she witnessed unless they let her wrestle her way into the group.
Match Announcement: It was revealed that last night, Lexis King disrupted Eddy Thorpe’s DJ set. They are set to face off next week.
NXT North American Championship Match: Oba Femi (c) vs. Duke Hudson: Oba Femi retained the NXT North American Championship by defeating Duke Hudson by pinfall.
Sami Zayn had some strong words about Ilja Dragunov and the future of WWE after the July 15, edition of Monday Night Raw went off the air.
In the main event of the show, Intercontinental Champion Sami Zayn defended against Ilja Dragunov. The pair were on course for an instant classic before Bron Breakker emerged and attacked both men, abruptly ending the contest. Breakker, who had been banned from the building, laid out both men to end the show, making clear he still plans on winning the Intercontinental Championship.
After WWE RAW (July 15, 2024)
While Breakker may have left both the champion and challenger worse for wear, Zayn and Dragunov shared a segment after the show. Speaking to the crowd in the Nutter Center in Dayton, Ohio, Zayn gave credit to the Mad Dragon as someone for fans to keep an eye on.
“All of you are looking at the future of WWE right here and his name is Ilja Dragunov!”
Dragunov appreciated the high praise from Zayn. Despite the war they’d put each other through, the two men shook hands to the delight of the crowd.
“The Future Of WWE”
Ilja Dragunov does indeed look bright, as he’s quickly established himself as a formidable competitor on WWE Raw. This week’s title match with Zayn marks Dragunov’s third time headlining WWE’s longest-running weekly episodic show since being called up to the main roster in this year’s draft.
Dragunov has more than held his own, a promising sign that management will remain confident in his potential and will continue to put him in positions to succeed.
Here are WWE Raw results for July 15, 2024 from Dayton, Ohio at the Nutter Center. You can also check out our roundup of WWE Raw Video Highlights (7/15/24).
Rhea Ripley’s return: Ripley opens the show after a 3-month absence, declaring “Mami’s home.” She blames Liv Morgan for her time away and calls her out regarding the Women’s World Championship. Liv responds via video, taunting Ripley about seducing Dominik Mysterio during her absence. This leads to Ripley challenging Morgan to a title match at SummerSlam, which Morgan accepts. Ripley vows to end Morgan’s career.
Sheamus vs. Bronson Reed: Sheamus defeats Reed in their match. However, the victory is short-lived as Pete Dunne turns on Sheamus post-match, attacking him from behind and leaving him vulnerable to Reed’s Tsunami finisher.
Sonya Deville vs. Zelina Vega: Deville, accompanied by Shayna Baszler and Zoey Stark, defeats Vega. After the match, the trio attempts to attack Vega, but Kayden Carter and Katana Chance come to her rescue.
Damian Priest and Gunther confrontation: The two engage in a heated exchange about championship prestige. Gunther criticizes Priest’s reign and background, while Priest defends his journey and vows to retain his title at SummerSlam.
Damian Priest vs. Braun Strowman: Priest emerges victorious in this match. Gunther attempts to ambush Priest afterward but fails to gain an advantage.
Tag team match: Shayna Baszler and Zoey Stark defeat Kayden Carter and Katana Chance. Lyra Valkyria accompanies Carter and Chance for the match.
Drew McIntyre’s return segment: McIntyre discusses a potential match with CM Punk. When asked by Adam Pearce to apologize to referees, he refuses, leading Pearce to keep him suspended. The situation escalates, prompting Seth Rollins to intervene and protect Pearce and the officials.
“Wyatt Sicks” VHS promo: A distraught and emotional Erick Rowan reflects on losing his wrestling “family” in a new VHS tape segment. He describes falling into despair after losing two “brothers” and feeling lost. Uncle Howdy is portrayed as Rowan’s savior, giving him new purpose through the mask and a mission to help others like himself.
Jey Uso vs. Dominik Mysterio: Jey Uso wins the match, but the focus is on the drama surrounding it. Liv Morgan interferes to help Dominik, leading to a compromising position with Jey. Rhea Ripley appears to scare Morgan away but ends up taking a spear. Backstage, Ripley reasserts her dominance over Dominik, forgiving him but reminding him that he belongs to her.
Chad Gable’s trap for Bo Dallas: Gable calls out Bo Dallas, claiming he’s solved the mystery of Uncle Howdy’s identity. When Dallas appears, the Creed Brothers ambush him. However, the plan backfires as Dallas laughs, signaling the arrival of the other Wyatt Sicks members. Gable and the Creeds retreat, leaving the Wyatt Sicks to unite in the ring.
Intercontinental Championship match: Sami Zayn defends against Ilja Dragunov, but the match ends in no contest due to Bron Breakker’s interference. Breakker attacks both competitors, closing the show with this chaotic scene.
At the July 13, event, Vaquer defeated current WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion Ilja Dawn. After the match, Vaquer said that it was a dream come true to be part of WWE.
Vaquer certainly proved to be a hit with the crowd in Mexico City and fans won’t have to wait long before they see her again. WWE’s newest signing is also expected to be at tonight’s WWE live event in Monterrey.
Stephanie Vaquer Joining WWE NXT
Vaquer officially joined WWE this past Wednesday after it was announced she had left CMLL. On Twitter, SVP of Talent Development and Head of NXT Shawn Michaels welcomed Vaquer to the family, which some have taken as a sign she’ll start in WWE on the gold brand.
In a post-match interview at the Mexico City live event, Vaquer told the cameras “NXT, see you soon” seemingly confirming the notion that she’ll be joining the gold brand.
WWE and AEW had been interested in Vaquer following her show-stealing performance at last month’s AEW x NJPW: Forbidden Door 2024 pay-per-view. Though she lost to Mercedes Mone at the event, Vaquer was praised for how she won the crowd over, despite them being more familiar with Mone and her work in and out of WWE.
While Vaquer only signed with WWE in recent days, this isn’t her first time being associated with the company. In 2018, Vaquer had a tryout for the promotion but was not signed.
Both AJ Styles and IYO SKY were successful in this week’s matches that took place outside of WWE as the company continues to work with other promotions.
For Styles, he defeated Naomichi Marufuji at Pro Wrestling NOAH’s Destination 2024 event. This match marked Styles’ first non-WWE match in eight-and-a-half years and his first time ever competing for NOAH. Styles had quite the entrance that saw him don a black mask; a staple of his time competing in Japan.
— ?????????? ?PRO WRESTLING NOAH (@noah_ghc) July 13, 2024
Despite a valiant effort by Marufuji, a three-time GHC World Champion, it was Styles who got the win with his Styles Clash. After the match, Styles and Marufuji shared a sign of respect in the ring by bowing to each other.
Styles wasn’t the only top WWE name in action outside of the company today. IYO SKY competed in her first non-WWE match since 2017 at the Marigold ‘Summer Destiny’ event. At the show, SKY defeated Utami Hayashishita.
It remains to be seen what companies WWE will work with next, though many feel it is likely under the post-McMahon administration. In the meantime, WWE NXT will continue to welcome TNA talent and don’t be surprised if we see Superstars appearing outside the Sports Entertainment juggernaut.
The post-Money in the Bank WWE SmackDown show fallout was certainly busy, with several big moments occurring on the programme.
WWE has now uploaded all of the video highlights for the show to their official YouTube channel, which we have compiled in an easy to view format on one page below.
WWE SmackDown Full Highlights This Week
If you didn’t get the chance to watch the show in full, you can see a Full Recap of WWE SmackDown this week via the video below:
WWE SmackDown Segments This Week
Here are all of the individual Video Highlights that WWE has released this week after SmackDown:
As “Ms. Money in the Bank” Tiffany Stratton celebrates her victory, WWE Women’s Champion Bayley questions the alliance between Nia Jax and Stratton.
After WWE Women’s Champion Bayley tries to stop Nia Jax and Tiffany Stratton’s assault on Michin, she gets beaten down herself, leading to The Center of the Universe almost cashing in.
Following their victory at WWE Money in the Bank, Solo Sikoa vows to stay on top and demands acknowledgement.
Queen Nia Jax smites Michin in a royal conquest.
LA Knight is officially granted a contract to face Logan Paul at SummerSlam but needs The Maverick’s signature.
Baron Corbin and Apollo Crews combine to take on Angel and Berto of Legado del Fantasma.
Naomi takes on the up-and-coming Blair Davenport in a fierce contest.
Even after losing to The Bloodline at Money in the Bank, Randy Orton informs Cody Rhodes that he still has his back.
#DIY defend their WWE Tag Team Title against A-Town Down Under.
Despite coming up on the losing end to Nia Jax, Michin states she is not done with the Queen of the Ring Winner, offering her services to Bayley.
The Bloodline dismantle Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton, making The American Nightmare watch as they eradicate The Viper.
CJ Perry is all done with All Elite Wrestling. The former Lana in WWE had a (very small) cup of coffee in AEW and her time with the company is already over. Speaking with USA Today at the 2024 ESPY Awards, Perry was direct and to-the-point regarding her status.
“[My] time with them has just finished.”
She was quietly released in April 2024, according to Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful. Perry first appeared in AEW as Miro’s wife, but the former WWE power couple announced their separation shortly afterward.
During her time in WWE, Lana was popular as the heel valet to Miro’s Rusev, but creative changes drastically altered the course for both stars. Lana later took on a role similar to Maxxine Dupri’s current portrayal as a valet turned wrestler.
Before joining AEW, Perry was vocal about the company’s misuse of her husband, Miro. AEW arguably mishandled the debut of “The Bulgarian Brute,” presenting him as an affable babyface rather than capitalizing on his “monster heel” persona.
Both Perry and Miro have been absent from AEW programming for months. Miro has shared on social media that he has been back in his home country of Bulgaria. While Perry was still with AEW, photos surfaced of her attending several events with the current AEW World Champion, Swerve Strickland.
Perry joins several former WWE women now under the AEW banner, including Saraya, Ruby Soho, Mercedes Mone, and Toni Storm. Among these, Saraya and Storm are arguably the company’s top two women’s acts, though Saraya has been miscast. Soho has also faced challenges, though she is currently away from programming due to her pregnancy.
John Cena looks like he had the time of his life at Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant’s wedding celebration this past week in Mumbai, India. The 16-time World Champion was one of 1,200 guests in attendance for what’s being called India’s wedding of the year.
WWE’s G.O.A.T. flashed some of his signature poses for the media upon his arrival, including the the ‘You Can’t See Me’ hand gesture. Cena was also seen at the event being assisted by guests on how to wear a safa; a traditional turban worn by men at weddings in Northern India.
John Cena described his experience at Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant’s wedding as “a surreal 24 hours” in his social media post. He expressed gratitude towards the Ambani family for their “unmatched warmth and hospitality.”
Cena mentioned meeting Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan as one of the memorable experiences from the wedding. As someone who has inspired millions of people around the world for decades, it’s pretty cool to see Cena being so proud to personally tell Shah Rukh Khan about “the positive effect he has had on my life.”
A surreal 24 hours. So grateful for the Ambani family for their unmatched warmth and hospitality.
An experience filled with so many unforgettable moments which allowed me to connect with countless new friends, including meeting @iamsrk and being able to tell him personally the… pic.twitter.com/MNRb29cFuV
The happy couple getting married are Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant. Ambani is the son of Mukesh Ambani, the richest man in Asia. He is the chairman and managing director of Reliance Industries. Merchant is the daughter of Viren Merchant, the CEO of a healthcare company. The wedding festivities have been split between Antilia, the home of the Ambanis, and the Jio World Convention Centre. Given the size and scale of the event, it’s hardly a surprise that this had been dubbed India’s wedding of the year.
The Guest List
The couple’s guest list is a who’s who of notable figures around the world. In addition to John Cena, the ceremony includes Kim and Khloe Kardashian, Boris Johnson, and Tony Blair. Earlier this year, Rhianna was one of the A-Listers at a pre-wedding celebration held in March. At the event, Rhianna performed a full-length concert, her first in either years.
In May, the couple hosted their second celebration, a four-day cruise through the Mediterranean. Once again, the couple had a massive guest list. This included surprise performances from the Backstreet Boys, Katy Perry, and Pitbull.
John Cena’s WWE Plans
Cena appeared at WWE Money in the Bank earlier this month in Toronto, Canada, and shared that 2025 will mark his final year in wrestling. Cena has competed in at least one WWE match each year since making his debut on TV in June 2002. At this time, details are scarce about Cena’s impending retirement, though fans are hopeful WWE will give the 16-time World Champion a fitting sendoff.
Chilean wrestling sensation Stephanie Vaquer has signed with WWE, as first reported by Record Mexico. Other outlets, including PWInsider, corroborated the report before WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels gave the official confirmation.
Shawn Michaels Welcomes Stephanie Vaquer to WWE
Michaels, WWE’s SVP of Talent Development, officially welcomed Vaquer to the family.
Stephanie Vaquer and Mercedes Mone delivered a show-stealing performance at last month’s AEW x NJPW: Forbidden Door 2024 pay-per-view. Mone was victorious, but it was Vaquer who received most of the buzz coming out of the show. Despite holding championships in Mexico, including the (since-vacated) CMLL World Women’s Championship, she received strong interest from both AEW and WWE.
(AEW)
Vaquer had been a part of CMLL since 2019 and was positioned as one of the top women in the company. She made her NJPW debut in 2023 as part of the tournament to crown the inaugural NJPW Strong Women’s World Champion (won by Willow Nightingale.)
On Wednesday, Lucha Libre CMLL and New Japan Pro Wrestling issued a joint CMLL-NJPW Special Announcement stating that Vaquer has informed them she will not participate in her next scheduled match due to “personal reasons.” As a result, she’s no longer associated with either promotion and been stripped of the CMLL World Women’s Championship.
“We want to inform you that Stephanie Vaquer has abruptly informed us that she will not participate, for personal reasons, in her next fight at FantasticaMania USA. As of today, he also no longer belongs to the CMLL and NJPW talent.”
A new CMLL World Women’s Champion will be crowned at FantasticaMania USA in an inter-promotional trios match. Lluvia, representing CMLL, will face Viva Van of NJPW and AEW’s Willow Nightingale for the gold. CMLL apologized to fans for the abrupt departure.
Vaquer’s Farewell
Though these moves may come as something of a surprise, suspicions grew that Vaquer was parting ways with CMLL after what would become her final match for the promotion. After a recent match, Vaquer appeared emotional and embraced her opponent Tessa Blanchard
Finn Bálor has signed a new long-term deal with WWE that will keep him with the world’s top wrestling promotion for man years to come. The 42-year-old star has been with WWE for over a decade. The Prince of The Judgement Day faction inked his first contract to join NXT back in May 2014.
In April, nearly a decade later, the former WWE Universal Champion revealed on social media that he he’d re-signed with the Stamford-based promotion, exclaiming that he “…ain’t going nowhere.”
I would like to take this moment to say thank you to WWE for 10 incredible years. And after much thought and consideration , I have decided that now is the right time to say ‘I ain’t going nowhere!’ pic.twitter.com/CXUEASqak9
During his time on the program, Bálor revealed that his new contract with WWE is a 5-year deal, meaning the star’s contract would expire when he’s 47. During his conversation on the show, Bálor detailed his thought process before signing his new contract, even going as far as to say that he thought his run in WWE may have ended.
Finn Bálor’s New WWE Deal
The Irish-born star mentioned that he wanted to remain in WWE and expressed excitement about his future with the company.
“Yeah, another extension for five years…I’m super excited. You never know. I remember when I was 20, and I was like, ‘If I make it to 30, I’ll be doing well.’ Then, you’re in your 40’s, and I’m like, ‘Sh*t, do they want me to keep doing this? Am I able to keep doing it? How is the body going to feel?’ We sat down and had a couple of conversations, and the feelings were mutual. I wanted to stay; they wanted me to stay. We hashed it out, and I couldn’t be happier.”
Uncertainty
Despite all the success he’s achieved throughout his entire career, Bálor admits he wasn’t sure if he and WWE would reach an agreement to work together in the future. He wanted to remain with WWE, but feared his time as a WWE Superstar may be cut short.
“It was a weird time… It was six months to when my contract was coming up. ‘Sh*t, is It the end of my run? Is it time to move on?’ Ten years is incredible… Now, I’m ten years in with another five years to go; fingers crossed they don’t fire me. It’s a pretty wild journey.”
In his over 10-year career with WWE, Finn Bálor has accumulated an impressive resume as a member of the main roster and in the original “Black & Gold” days of NXT. Bálor became a Grand Slam champion in September 2023 and has feuded with some of the biggest names in WWE History. As of this writing, he’s one-half of the reigning World Tag Team Champions alongside JD McDonagh.
Listen to Finn Bálor’s appearance on the What’s the Story? podcst:
WWE is boosting up it’s commentary bullpen in a big way with famed ESPN announcer Joe Tessitore. In a press release sent in to SEScoops, the company touted him as, “one of the most versatile and veteran voices in sports television.
He join the company as a play-by-play broadcaster beginning this summer working alongside analysts Wade Barrett and Corey Graves. Michael Cole and Pat McAfee will remain teamed up.
Tessitore has been a lifelong wrestling fan. He’s been gearing up for this opportunity and expresses the utmost respect for the WWE Superstars and broadcasters he’ll be working alongside.
“It’s an honor to be a part of WWE. The recent success and trajectory are undeniable,” said Tessitore. “Being there at WrestleMania XL, one could feel it – from Cody, Seth, Roman and The Rock, to creative and production, these are some of the very best storytellers in TV. Corey and Wade are absolute stars and it is my privilege to join their team. Pat and Cole are just magical together and Cole is the greatest to ever sit in that chair. As a lifelong viewer, I’m humbled to join this team and to serve our fans.”
Triple H on Joe Tessitore Joining WWE
WWE Chief Content Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque had this to say in the press release:
“Whether it’s a world title fight that’s got the globe buzzing or a college football rivalry that’s grabbed the nation’s attention, Joe’s voice provides that big event feel each time he is behind the microphone.
We’re excited for Joe to join legendary WWE broadcaster Michael Cole and our esteemed announce team, bringing his signature energy and meticulous preparation to our WWE telecasts each week.”
Over the past few months, Graves has steered the SmackDown ship as the lead play-by-play man with Barrett being on color commentary. Graves didn’t miss a beat in the new role as his usual broadcast partner Michael Cole joined up with Pat McAfee on WWE RAW.
Tessitore has a notorious commentary past in the fight game. He’s been the go-to voice for boxing on ESPN, led their Monday Night Football coverage and called College Football Playoff games.
If you peel back the relationship layers, Tessitore signing with WWE makes plenty of sense has he has a long history with WWE CEO Nick Khan. Khan actually used to be the super agent for Tessitore and now the two will be under the WWE banner together.
Experienced sports commentary names outside of WWE haven’t always been successful when they sit behind the pro wrestling commentary table. Mike Adamle and Adnan Virk both assumed play-by-play roles on WWE RAW and unfortunately, both didn’t last long.
In a dramatic conclusion to Monday’s WWE RAW, Rhea Ripley made her long-awaited return, bringing the simmering tension between herself, Dominik Mysterio, and Liv Morgan to a boiling point. The climax of the evening saw Liv Morgan and Dominik Mysterio team up against Rey Mysterio and Zelina Vega, which ended in their victory. As the duo celebrated their win with a passionate embrace in the ring, Rhea Ripley’s music hit and the arena erupted.
Mami made her way to the ring and business picked up in a big way. Morgan, seemingly aware of the impending confrontation, quickly fled the scene, leaving Dominik alone in the ring. The tension was palpable as Ripley approached Mysterio.
Her demeanor was far from welcoming, a stark contrast to the celebratory mood moments earlier. When Dominik attempted to greet her with a hug, Ripley’s cold response spoke volumes. As RAW went off the air, fans were left with the image of a clearly displeased Ripley.
What Happened After Raw
The USA Network feed cut off early, but we can see here just how displeased Ripley was.
Expect to see Rhea Ripley vs. Liv Morgan at SummerSlam, one of our five WWE SummerSlam 2024 card predictions. This dramatic return sets the stage for what promises to be an explosive summer ahead as the next chapters in this ongoing saga are written. We’re now wondering:
How will Ripley address Dominik’s closeness with Morgan?
Ethan Page has won the NXT Championship and you wouldn’t believe what happened afterward. WWE’s development brand presented the Heatwave special from the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada this Sunday. This was WWE’s third consecutive night at the venue, following WWE SmackDown and WWE Money in the Bank.
The show was filled with many hard-hitting bouts which have become a signature of the brand under Shawn Michaels. Wrestling fans were buzzing on social media over the high spots in the tag title match between Axiom & Nathan Frazer.
However, it was the fatal four-way main event for the NXT Championship that stole the conversation. Trick Williams was defending his title against Ethan Page, Shawn Spears, and Je’Von Evans. The bout delivered everything you’d expect from an NXT main event with Evans proving to be the MVP of the match with many notable bumps.
The ending of the fight saw Page taking his frustration out on Evans for disrupting a pin attempt. Spears pulled Evans down, however, right when Page was about to hit the Ego’s Edge. Trick Williams then joined the action and took out both Shawn Spears and Je’Von Evans with a Trick Shot. He delivered one more to Page. This caused the former AEW star to fall on Evans who was lying in the ring. The referee started counting and he completed the three count before Williams could break the fall. Just like that, the landscape of NXT has been altered dramatically.
Ethan Page Recreates Classic WWE Ending
The finish reminded people of a classic WWE match from Backlash 2007. Notably, the WWE Championship match featuring John Cena, Shawn Michaels, Randy Orton and Edge ended in a similar fashion. Cena had unintentionally pinned Orton to retain the title back then, when he fell on the Viper after taking a Sweet Chin Music from HBK.
Backstage after his big win, Ethan Page clarified that his success has nothing to do with luck. He doesn’t even consider himself a lucky man – he’s just that good.
The WWE Universe is still reeling from the excitement and controversy surrounding WWE Money in the Bank 2024. MITB has become a top 5 Premium Live Event in WWE’s calendar year, as it usually comprises noteworthy matches with significant implications for the rest of the year. This is especially true for the event’s namesake matches.
The sold-out crowd in Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena witnessed moments that will go down in history. While the show was mostly enjoyable for fans, this year’s event may have raised more questions than answers. With this in mind, let’s dive into this author’s 5 Takeaways from Money In The Bank 2024.
5) Making Tiffany Stratton Mrs. Money In The BankWas An Excellent Decision
Tiffany Stratton has been a standout in the women’s division since she was called up this past February, with the WWE Universe having high expectations for the 25-year-old following a strong 3-year stint in NXT.
The former NXT Women’s Champion has shown strong in-ring skills and is a compelling presence on the microphone. Now, Stratton is poised to take the next big step in her WWE career, especially now that she’s armed with a MITB briefcase. One that she’s promised to make pink!
Despite a slow and clunky start, the Women’s Money In The Bank match proved, by many accounts, to be the match of the evening. Each of the six women involved had moments to shine and put on potentially the best Women’s MITB match to date. One of the match’s biggest stars was its eventual winner, Tiffany Stratton, who showcased her athleticism, craftiness, and opportunistic flair during the bout.
— Tiffany Stratton (@tiffstrattonwwe) July 7, 2024
Stratton is undoubtedly the best choice to win the briefcase. Both in terms of character and ability, Stratton is an ideal Money In The Bank holder.
WWE ultimately decided against going with the safest pick, such as former 2x women’s champion Naomi, or going to an unsuspecting dark horse in Chelsea Green. Instead, the brass used the women’s briefcase to elevate a young and rising star, who truly hasn’t even reached their peak yet.
4) Bron Breakker Lost Clean To Sami Zayn
Bron Breakker could not ask any more of WWE when it comes to their presentation of the recent NXT call up over the last month. Fans have witnessed Breakker become WWE’s modern-day Goldberg, decimating his opposition with a mixture of raw power and inhuman speed inside and outside the ring.
On the June 17th edition of Monday Night RAW, Breakker made his presence known to Sami Zayn, making it clear that Zayn’s Intercontinental Championship was in his crosshairs and he wasn’t planning on missing his mark. While Zayn proved he could outsmart Breaker on the final RAW before the PLE, much of the WWE Universe was convinced that the second-generation star would brutalize The Liberator and walk out of Money In The Bank with his first taste of main roster gold.
Instead, fans were surprised that WWE opted to have Zayn come out as the victor in a fairly standard title defense for the seasoned veteran. Zayn’s strongest character attribute is being “the underdog” in nearly every match he’s in, yet somehow finding a way to “survive”. However, this time, the bout would end after Zayn hit one Halueva Kick and without Zayn being forced to kick out of one of Bron Breakker’s infamously ferocious spears.
This decision leaves some fans scratching their heads, shocked that WWE would have Breakker lose so decisively. Especially as he’s being painted as a completely unstoppable monster, one that even RAW General Manager Adam Pearce has trouble controlling. On the other hand, having an up-and-coming star lose to the reigning Intercontinental Champion, especially one that defeated the likes of Gunther at WrestleMania, isn’t so outrageous.
However, WWE could have had Sami Zayn win in another fashion, which would have ensured he walked out as champion and protected Breakker a bit more. For example, Zayn could successfully execute a quick roll-up to win; the story would be that Zayn used both Breakker’s momentum and impatience against him.
The question now becomes where does Breakker go from here. Successfully “tamed ” by Zaym, Breakker’s aura has taken a bit of a hit. WWE should be very careful about their next moves with Bron Breakker, as the company cannot afford for the former NXT Champion to be nothing more than a flash in the pan.
3) Fans Not Happy WWE Burned the Men’s MITB Contract Within Hours
Drew McIntyre walked into Money In the Bank with two goals: win Money In The Bank and walk out as World Heavyweight Champion. Welp, in the words of Bon Jovi, he was “halfway there”.
The Scottish Psychopath made his intentions clear in the weeks leading up to Money In The Bank on WWE TV, and he did all he could to put his arch-rival CM Punk out of commission and out of sight so he could focus solely on winning his first ever Money In The Bank contract. However, McIntyre’s efforts would ultimately be in vain.
McIntyre’s MITB’s eventual cash-in two matches later would be thwarted by The Second City Saint, with the Archer of Infamy retaining his championship and leadership status with The Judgement Day. Punk’s action not only cost McIntyre dearly but also his old rival Seth Rollins, as The Visionary can now no longer fight for the World Championship until Priest loses it.
McIntyre’s desire for quick results by cashing in MITB the same night he won it was not unprecedented. His decision to do this marked the sixth time in WWE history that a same-night cash-in occurred, following in the footsteps of names such as Kane, Dean Ambrose, and Alexa Bliss. Ironically, it was also the sixth time in WWE history that the briefcase holder could not secure a win.
However, McIntyre now holds his unique statistic in WWE history: the only superstar to win the MITB and lose their cash-in on the same night. A factoid that The Scottish Psychopath would most likely prefer not to be mentioned at his future WWE Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
McIntyre’s decision to win and lose MITB was undoubtedly the most controversial and universally panned decision by WWE at Money In The Bank. While most within the WWE Universe were happy to see McIntyre get a meaningful win, everyone could see the writing on the wall and knew that McIntyre’s time as Mr. Money In The Bank was going to be short-lived. While it’s understandable why WWE Creative went in that direction of Punk costing McIntyre yet again, did McIntyre need to win the case for that to happen? This author would argue no.
At the risk of sounding overly dramatic, WWE’s use of the MITB briefcase as a plot device for McIntyre and Punk’s ongoing feud cheapened the entire match. WWE could have had Punk cost McIntyre during the Men’s MITB match and would have had the same effect, while also giving the briefcase to someone else who could eventually benefit from winning it.
The WWE Universe seemed to echo these sentiments throughout the rest of the Money In the Bank PLE, with fans on social media noting that the clunky failed cash-in felt rushed, predictable, and a waste of time.
Effectively, WWE has made Drew McIntyre the most reasonable heel in the company. While McIntyre injured CM Punk, and trolling him about it for months on end was just pure villainy, Punk has now cost McIntyre the World Championship in various ways on countless occasions. One could argue that Punk’s gone well beyond the scope of vengeance and is now becoming more of the heel than McIntyre. When two men finally meet inside the squared circle, some predicting as soon as SummerSlam, it may be hard for WWE to justify having Punk win.
2) WWE Firmly Establishes Solo Sikoa as the Tribal Chief and Jacob Fatu as a dangerous force
One of WWE’s biggest objectives at Money In The Bank 2024 was to establish Solo Sikoa as the biggest threat to Cody Rhodes’ championship reign, and they accomplished that in spades.
In the last few weeks, Sikoa’s tenure as self-proclaimed Tribal Chief in the absence of Roman Reigns has taken a distinct turn. The young star was adamant about asserting his claim to the Bloodline throne, making it clear that he wasn’t just a temporary placeholder but the rightful heir. Things escalated even further in the past two weeks, as Solo both excommunicated The Wise Man Paul Heyman and directly called out his cousin Reigns.
This new and potentially more ruthless version of The Bloodline would face its biggest test at Money In The Bank, as it took on Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes and his allies Randy Orton and Kevin Owens.
The bout went just about exactly the way one would expect, with Rhodes’ crew constantly having to account for The Bloodline’s number advantage and propensity to take out WWE officials. In the end, the intense bout would come to a shocking end, with Solo Sikoa taking out and pinning The American Nightmare to secure his team’s win. This marks Rhodes’ first pinfall loss since winning the championship at WrestleMania 40.
The image of Sikoa standing tall above a battered Rhodes will certainly etched into the minds of the WWE Universe leading into SummerSlam, with many asking if Cody Rhodes has once again found himself in front of a Samoan brick wall.
Some viewers, including this author, noticed the resemblance of WWE’s booking of MITB 2024 to the previous year. At last year’s event in London, England, the WWE Universe saw its first glimpse of a Bloodline implosion as Roman Reigns, Solo Sikoa, and The Usos competed in a Bloodline Civil War tag team match. When the final bell rang, Jey Uso was pinning Roman Reigns (Regins’ first pinfall loss since 2019), setting up the two for Tribal Combat at SummerSlam that year.
WWE has taken a similar approach with Cody Rhodes and Solo Sikoa, employing a tag team match at Money In The Bank to solidify Sikoa as a legitimate challenger to the champion. While some may perceive this as an unoriginal booking, it could be argued that utilizing a proven formula isn’t necessarily a negative strategy.
Solo Sikoa’s Bloodline is strong and has tangible success to point to, as it’s certainly shaken the snide comments of “Bloodline Light.”
1) John Cena’s (Last) Time is Now
If you missed Money In The Bank and this is the first time you’re learning that the 16-time World Champion is set to retire from WWE from article, we apologize, but it’s sadly true. One of the greatest WWE Superstars of all time is finally ready to call it a career, as Cena detailed to the WWE Universe how and when his final run will take place.
When news of John Cena’s presence in Toronto ahead of Money In The Bank spread online, many assumed that the Leader of the CeNation would find himself in the main event of the show, teaming with Cody Rhodes, Randy Orton, and Kevin Owens to help try and even the odds against The Bloodline—a group led by the man who sent Cena packing Crown Jewel last November.
However, WWE fans were shocked to see Cena randomly introduced by the event’s host, Trish Stratus, wearing new ring gear and a new version of his iconic “Never Give Up” towel. Only this time, the phrasing was just a bit different, and by a bit, we mean a LOT different. The revamped towel read “The Last Time Is Now,” and his shirt included the phrases “farewell tour” and “after this, you can’t see me.”
To call the moment shocking would be not just the understatement of the year, but of the century. While Cena has been hinting that his time as an active competitor inside the ring was coming close to an end, no one predicted that his retirement announcement would come in this fashion.
Possibly the most unsurprising element of John Cena’s announcement is how meticulously and methodically planned out his final run seems to be. Short of listing out dates, events, and planned opponents, Cena gave fans a clear road map for what he plans to do for the final stint of his WWE in-ring career.
Cena revealed that he plans to work 30 to 40 dates in 2025 from January through December, starting with the first edition of Monday Night RAW on Netflix. Furthermore, he announced that WrestleMania 41 would be his final WrestleMania appearance as an active competitor. However, it clearly distinguished between his final WrestleMania match and his final match. Making a point to firmly state that these two moments are mutually exclusive.
John Cena goes in-depth about what 2025 will look like for the Greatest of All Time in WWE. pic.twitter.com/dAEnEYyAEP
He would detail even more of his plans for his farewell tour in a lengthy post-event Press Conference, fielding an endless wave of questions regarding dream opponents, aspirations, and specific goals for 2025.
While he hasn’t been a main stay in WWE for sometime, the wrestling world will certainly feel like a different place after John Cena calls it a career for good. Cena has already stated that once he retires he would never be physical inside a WWE ring again, noting that the only time fans will see him is when he’s wearing a suit.
Simply put, there are no words to accurately describe John Cena’s impact on the professional wrestling industry over the past two decades. From cutting down his enemies with nothing more than clever rhymes to being one of the top Make-A-Wish granters in history, John Cena’s name will be carved in stone as one of the greatest to ever step between the ropes. While the WWE Universe’s feelings toward Cena were tumultuous at times, fans always respected the Massachusetts native’s work ethic and love of the game. John Cena’s remarkable journey from rookie to role model has left an unforgettable mark on wrestling history, one that will never be duplicated and one that solidifies him at the top of the list of all-time greats.
Only time will tell what comes next for John Cena. However, as the 47-year-old said during the Money In The Bank Press Conference, “the roster is loaded,” and there is a never-ending list of people Cena would like to face off before he rides out into the sunset.
Bad Blood is back. WWE Bad Blood 2024 will take place from Atlanta, GA at the StateFarm Arena on Saturday, October 5. This date marks the 27-year anniversary of the inaugural WWE In Your House: Bad Blood PPV (October 1997) and the very first Hell in a Cell match.
WWE Bad Blood 2024 tickets go on sale next Friday, July 19 at Ticketmaster. Presale for Bad Blood tickets will begin Tuesday, July 16. Fans can register now to receive an exclusive presale offer by visiting WWE.com/badblood-2024-presale.
WWE Bad Blood
From 1997 to 2004, WWE hosted three Bad Blood events and each one was headlined by a Hell in a Cell match. The inaugural event also saw the inaugural Hell in Cell match as Shawn Michaels defeated The Undertaker (albeit thanks to the interference of the debuting Kane.) Triple H would best Kevin Nash to retain the World Heavyweight Championship in 2003 and the Game would defeat Michaels in Hell in a Cell one year later.
With Triple H’s close association with Bad Blood, it will be interesting to see how he books the show now that he is in charge of WWE’s creative prospects. Time will tell whether the show sees a Hell in a Cell match, which is also close to the Game’s career. One of Triple H’s first acts as Head of Creative was to scrap the Hell in a Cell PLE, believing that the show had lessened the importance of the stipulation. Currently, no matches have been announced for WWE Bad Blood but fans are excited to see what’s to come.
John Cena wants to take fans on a ride they won’t forget next year. In a revealing press conference following Saturday’s WWE’s Money in the Bank show from Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena, the wrestling icon shared a lot of details about his upcoming retirement tour, marking the end of his illustrious in-ring career.
Cena announced that his final run will span the entire year. “If everything goes to plan, I’ll be wrestling from January to December,” Cena stated.
He also confirmed that this retirement is definitive. “A lot of sports entertainment retirements are dishonest. I’m done. This is it,” Cena asserted, adding, “If you ever wanted to be part of this, now is the time to get on board.”
Remaining Part of the WWE Family
Cena joked that his iconic ring attire – the jorts and colorful t-shirts that have become synonymous with his character – will be retiring alongside him. He also made it clear that post-retirement, he won’t be involved in physical aspects of the shows, ruling out appearances as a guest referee.
However, fans can take solace in knowing that Cena’s association with WWE isn’t ending completely. He expressed his desire to remain part of the WWE family for years to come, albeit in a different capacity. “I’m passionate about wrestling and still yell at the screen while watching. I have wisdom I want to pass along,” he explained.
Ending on a Historic Note
Cena’s retirement tour isn’t born out of necessity due to injury, as is often the case in professional wrestling. Instead, it’s a conscious decision driven by gratitude. “This is not a bad thing. This is a great thing,” Cena emphasized, highlighting his appreciation for the opportunity to bid farewell on his own terms.
As Cena’s legendary career draws to a close, he’s not content to simply ride off into the sunset. Cena expressed interest in pursing a 17th world championship, indicating his final year will be anything but predictable.
WWE legend John Cena has confirmed that he will be retiring in 2025.
The 16-time World champion made a surprise appearance at Saturday’s Money in the Bank premium live event from Toronto to announce his retirement tour.
While he did not specify when his final match will take place, he confirmed that next year will be his last time competing at the Royal Rumble, Elimination Chamber and WrestleMania. He also said he’ll be there when WWE Raw officially moves to Netflix in January 2025, so we can expect Cena to be quite active during the final run of his career.
Who could John Cena face in his final match?
Randy Orton, for example, would be the perfect final opponent for Cena, as both men were the top names of the company back in the mid to late 2000s and had arguably one of the biggest feuds of the “PG” era.
A younger(ish) name like LA Knight would also make sense, as putting over a newer talent on his way out could certainly help someone’s career (although don’t ask Austin Theory if his win over Cena helped his career trajectory…).
Cena also confirmed during his promo segment at MITB that he would be opening the MITB Post-Show Press Conference and answering “any and all questions” about his impending retirement.
Sami Zayn made an appearance after the Money In The Bank go home episode of SmackDown from the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Canada went off air.
There were two dark matches that took place after the broadcast of the Blue Branded Show ended. The first match featured IYO SKY defeating Naomi.
The second dark match of the night saw Sami Zayn defending the Intercontinental Championship against Chad Gable. Gable got the Kurt Angle treatment from the crowd during his entrance.
The former Olympian had locked in Zayn into an ankle lock towards the end of the bout but the IC Champion reversed it into a powerbomb. He finally delivered a Helluva kick to pick up the victory.
After the match, Sami Zayn cut a short promo. Zayn who is billed from Montreal, mentioned how the Toronto crowd always makes him feel like he is in his hometown. He then hyped-up Saturday’s Money In The Bank PPV:
The SmackDown episode was largely built around the upcoming PPV. The opening segment saw all the competitors of the Men’s Money In The Bank match coming face to face before the bout.
Apart from this, the show featured matches such as Pretty Deadly vs. The Street Profits and Jade Cargill & Bianca Belair vs. Indi Hartwell & Candice LeRae.
The latest WWE event also featured a big title change in the main event of the show. You can check out more about it here.
Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa are the new WWE tag team champions. DIY defeated A-Town Down Under (Austin Theory and Grayson Waller) on Friday’s WWE SmackDown from Toronto.
The match featured fast paced action, high impact offense from both teams and several close calls. The finish came when DIY locked in cross-face submission holds on champions, who tapped out in unison.
After the match, fireworks erupted as the Toronto crowd celebrated the historic moment. This marks the first main roster gold for DIY, who previously held the NXT tag titles. The longtime friends went on to have a bitter rivalry before ultimately reconciling and getting back to business.
For Theory and Waller, the championship reign that began by winning the Six-Pack Challenge Ladder Match at WrestleMania XL ends at 90 days.
