Is Roman Reigns going to lure Sami Zayn back to The Bloodline?
WWE has made it clear that it’s full steam ahead with the latest chapter of the family drama, with Reigns, Jey Uso, Jimmy Uso, Jacob Fatu, and Solo Sikoa connected in storylines on Raw and SmackDown.
Sami Zayn fans aren’t gonna like it.
That doesn’t mean WWE made the wrong decision.
CM Punk returned on this week’s WWE Raw in Chicago to replace Cody Rhodes as Zayn’s opponent in the main event.
Punk won the Undisputed WWE title in a great match, thus ending Zayn’s reign at a whopping nine days.
Chicago loved it. A portion of the online crowd did not.
And yet, WWE got it right.
There were issues with the scheduled Rhodes vs. Zayn match. Rhodes winning would (and should) have made even more WWE fans unhappy and, yet again, put the QB1 in an unenviable position from a public perception standpoint.
Zayn winning? It would have been nice, but at best, it would have set up a rematch scenario with either Rhodes or Gunther at SummerSlam. Not to mention that it would have allowed Zayn’s character to succeed when, at its best, the story has been fueled by the complete opposite.
.@SamiZayn speaks. 😳 pic.twitter.com/W6dE3Z39XS
— WWE (@WWE) July 7, 2026
Rhodes vs. Punk was the biggest match WWE could do in this scenario. They got there with an unpredictable twist with a predictable payoff, and it worked.
Some argued the match doesn’t need the title. I disagree. Both men have been in the top champion role for the past year or more, and having the championship on the line makes it bigger.
This is one of the biggest matches WWE has left at its disposal. It’s arguably the second-biggest behind the inevitable Oba Femi vs. Roman Reigns match, which appears to be in a holding pattern until WrestleMania 43.
We thought the same would be the plan for Rhodes vs. Punk. Maybe it was, but I’m glad it’s not.
WWE needed another box office match for SummerSlam, and this was the right choice.
Even better, where Rhodes, Punk, and Zayn go from here becomes much more fascinating after the bait and switch on Raw.
In this WWE NXT 7/7/26 review, Kendal Grey defends the NXT Women’s Championship against Nattie, No. 1 contenders are determined for the Women’s North American Championship and NXT Tag Team Championship, and much more.
Here are some thoughts on NXT.
1. An interesting setup for the Triple Threat Match between Kali Armstrong, Kelani Jordan, and Lola Vice. All three have different personalities and goals. Armstrong is the newcomer with a chip on her shoulder. Jordan is now a veteran who is still overlooked. Vice is the former champion owed a rematch. Simple but effective.
2. Lots of great action in the four-way tag team match to crown new No. 1 contenders. I didn’t have a preference as to the winner, as you could have had an intriguing story with any of them. Birthright seemed the least likely to win, while Sean Legacy and Dorian Van Dux fit the rising stars trend better than the others. You can also pair Osiris Griffin and Cutler James with OTM for a non-title feud. But I don’t think anyone is dethroning Vanity Project…
3. Saquon Shugars needs partners to handle his business with Griffin, James, and Dion Lennox. Who will it be? Again, OTM would be a logical choice, but that’s too predictable for a good WWE mystery!
4. Keanu Carver defeated Tank Ledger. That’s not surprising. What has been, though, is the lack of consistency with Carver’s ascent to the top of NXT. Is he still a projected top player or not?
5. It seems that Naraku is coming after Tony D’Angelo‘s spirit. That sounds….evil. We all know the end goal, and that’s Naraku winning the NXT Championship. The rematch should make that prediction a reality.
6. Mason Rook and Kam Hendrix have unfinished business. It’s not much, but at least they are positioned as upper-tier talents with the potential to rise to champion status.
7. Layla Diggs scores the upset win in the four-way match to determine Zaria‘s next opponent. I thought Lizzy Rain could be an option in this spot, but Diggs is another newcomer with potential. They’re also pushing the story that she wants to do things on her own rather than rely on her faction. Maybe rely on them for the Zaria match, and then focus on your honorable virtues!
8. Reina Volcan says she’s the future of NXT. Anyone who watched it knows the debut wasn’t the smoothest. But she has the look and skills to rise up the NXT ladder rather quickly.
Reina Volcan is ready to get to WORK! 💪 pic.twitter.com/R0vcQeCltF
— WWE (@WWE) July 8, 2026
9. The Tavion Heights and Myles Borne stuff doesn’t do it for me. I liked both of their storyline directions better right after they split from the No Quarter Catch Crew. Considering the interaction with Vanity Project, you would think there’s a tag team title opportunity brewing for Heights and Borne. However, if all this does is lead back to another one-on-one match for the NXT North American Championship, there are better ideas. They had something with Borne last year when he challenged Oba Femi at Battleground, but I’m not sure they’ve recaptured that magic.
10. I know they’re pushing the Niko Vance solo act after the split with Shawn Spears, but don’t do it at the expense of Shiloh Hill. To me, Naraku vs. Hill is one of the most intriguing NXT title matches on the board if they make the swap from D’Angelo. Of course, Hill has to finish things with Tristan Angels first (whose potential I like), which I thought they did at Great American Bash. Interference or not, Hill losing isn’t a welcome sight for a brand that needs top babyfaces.
11. What can I say about Nattie vs. Kendal Grey that hasn’t already been said? It was fantastic. That’s what you want to do with a new champion. Give her someone like Nattie to work with to really showcase the skill. There’s a reason WWE is so invested in Grey, and this match told you everything you need to know. Bravo to the NXT creative team for setting this up as the first title defense, and bravo to both women for a great professional wrestling match.
What did you think of the July 7 edition of WWE NXT? Did you enjoy the Nattie vs. Kendal Grey match? Let me know your thoughts in the comments. Thanks for reading!
In this WWF Monday Night RAW 7/22/96 review, Shawn Michaels and Ahmed Johnson challenge The Smoking Gunns for the WWF Tag Team titles, Faarooq makes his debut, and much more.
Let’s jump in.
RINGSIDE: The Smoking Gunns and Shawn Michaels and Ahmed Johnson make their entrances for the upcoming tag title match. Vince McMahon is JACKED over the fact that it’s Shawn Michaels’ birthday. Sunny has a cake ringside, and I’ve got one guess where that cake winds up. Sunny distracts Michaels with the cake and Billy and Bart jump the challengers on the outside. Michaels hits the Sweet Chin Music to Billy to reset things, with Vince noting that he’s knocked out. Cake time, as Michaels puts his finger in the cake and wipes it on Sunny’s nose. She picks up the cake to throw it at Michaels, but Ahmed comes from behind and smashes the cake in her face. Michaels then essentially licks her face and tries eating some of the cake. A lot to unpack in that sentence there. Vince reminds us that Billy is still down as Michaels’ music plays, so I guess we’re not getting the title match. Well then.
BACKSTAGE: Back from commercial, and Gorilla Monsoon says we are gonna have the match later tonight. If Billy can’t compete, he’s stripping the Gunns of the belt. A little harsh if you ask me.
The Goon vs. “The Wildman” Marc Mero (w/Sable)
Jerry Lawler ponders why the New York Rangers would sign Wayne Gretzky when they could’ve had The Goon. Good point. Mero is coming off the loss to Stone Cold Steve Austin at In Your House: International Incident. Austin joins commentary and taunts Mero. Vince announces it’s Austin vs. Undertaker next week, then Austin starts throwing verbal jabs at Bret Hart. Meanwhile, Jake Roberts is on the phone. Vince asks about his injury, and Lawler makes jokes about Jake’s drinking. Well that’s something. The camera stays on Lawler who is mocking him, and Austin says he’ll backhand Vince if he interrupts him again.
Yes, there’s still a match in the ring, and it’s Goon with the momentum. Austin wants Vince to give him a painted school bus like Lex Luger and instead of kissing babies, he’ll kick people’s asses. The man’s rise to stardom was obvious at this point. He wasn’t gonna be denied. Lawler is back to the Jake drinking jokes, while Austin wants to know why Sable is ringside since she’s a distraction. Goon throws Mero to the outside, but he slips on the cake icing and runs into the steps. See what they did there? Mero flies over the top and leaps back in with the leg drop to score the win.
BACKSTAGE: Michaels says Ahmed wants a piece of the tag team gold and they’re gonna face the Gunns.
IN THE CROWD: Bob Backlund is campaigning to be president of the United States.
VIDEO: Clarence Mason argues with Gorilla Monsoon about trying to get a new client into the WWF.
Freddie Joe Floyd vs. Mankind
Floyd is Tracy Smothers, so that’s worth noting. We get highlights from In Your House: International Incident, which saw Mankind climb from under the ring to brawl with The Undertaker. Floyd gets a decent amount of offense and a few near falls, but Mankind locks in the Mandible Claw for the victory.
RINGSIDE: Brian Pillman makes his way to the announce table. He teases saying a lot of bad words.
Goldust (w/Marlena) vs. Barry Horowitz
We get an inset promo from Mero, who is going to beat Vader next week. Mero is also infuriated with Goldust’s obsession with Sable. Pillman says a bunch of outlandish things in response to Vince and Lawler. Not much to this match, as Goldust hits his finisher for the win.
BACKSTAGE: Sunny is pissed about what Michaels and Ahmed did to her. The Gunns say they are going to pay.
IN THE RING: Jim Cornette tells Vince they demanded that Vader get a title shot after he pinned Michaels at International Incident. Cornette says Vader will be the new champ.
Shawn Michaels and Ahmed Johnson (w/Jose Lothario) vs. (c) The Smoking Gunns (w/Sunny) – WWF Tag Team Titles
They brawl to start, and Michaels taunts Sunny since she’s still covered in cake. Lots of back forth, with Vince adding in his trademark “he got him…no he didn’t line” for a few pinfall attempts. The Gunns get some cheap shots in on Michaels with the referee distracted. And they do it again after the referee misses the tag. Meanwhile, the WWF Superstar Line with Jim Ross teases that SummerSlam could be The Undertaker’s last match in the company. Only $1.49 a minute to find out! Michaels finally turns the tide with the double noggin knocker and he makes the hot tag to Ahmed. He runs wild, but Bart pulls the rope down to send him to the outside. And then we get the debut of Faarooq, who destroys Ahmed for the DQ. Lawler says he looks like Ron Simmons. Sunny embraces with Faarooq to signal a partnership between the two.
In this WWF King of the Ring 1993 review, Hulk Hogan defends the WWF title against Yokozuna, Bret Hart puts on a legendary performance, and much more.
Let’s jump in.
VIDEO: Vince McMahon promotes all the first-round matches in the 1993 King of the Ring Tournament. Say what you want about the man, but his enthusiasm was unmatched.
RINGSIDE: Jim Ross, Bobby Heenan, and Randy Savage discuss Yokozuna vs. Hulk Hogan and Crush vs. Shawn Michaels.
Razor Ramon vs. Bret Hart – King of the Ring Quarterfinals
The fans are chanting “1-2-3” at Razor after he lost to the 1-2-3 Kid in shocking fashion on May 17 episode of Raw. The winner of this match faces the winner of Mr. Perfect vs. Mr. Hughes. Heenan pushes Bret’s skills, then says “but I just can’t stand him.” About as much of a compliment as a babyface is gonna get from The Brain.
Bret controls the action until Razor pokes him in the eye. Razor sends Bret shoulder-first into the ring post, and he adds more insult to injury with some kicks to the face. Running powerslam from Razor gets a near fall, and Razor’s frustration is growing. Razor goes for a few elbows, but Bret moves out of the way. Bret drops an elbow off the top, but Razor kicks out at two and a half.
Great finishing stretch with Razor sending Bret chest-first into the turnbuckle. Razor goes for the Razor’s Edge, but Bret wiggles out and uses the ropes to flip over into an inside cradle for two and three-quarters. The fans nearly blew the roof off the place. That was tremendous. Razor attempts a suplex off the top, but Bret counters into a pin for the win. (***1/2, Recommended)
VIDEO: Highlights from Superstars of Mr. Hughes destroying The Undertaker with the urn, which was handed to him by Harvey Whippleman. Then Hughes hammers Paul Bearer with it, who was already beaten down by Giant Gonzalez or someone. A lot going on there.
Mr. Hughes (w/Harvey Whippleman) vs. Mr. Perfect – King of the Ring Quarterfinals
A battle of the misters here. Heenan is using the telestrator John Madden-style in his “Brain Scan” segment, and he gets a few verbal jabs in on Perfect. Hughes wrestling in a full suit will never not be impressive. One reason not to do that is on display when Perfect grabs his tie. There’s an in-set interview with Bret, and he’s picking Perfect to win. They go back and forth, but Perfect gains the momentum. So, Hughes decides to hit Perfect with the urn, which makes zero sense as the referee calls for the DQ. Brilliant idea. (*1/2)
BACKSTAGE: Yokozuna and Mr. Fuji take aim at Hulk Hogan. Fuji says Hogan cheated Yokozuna out of the title at WrestleMania IX.
Bam Bam Bigelow vs. Hacksaw Jim Duggan – King of the Ring Quarterfinals
The fans chant “USA” and a reminder that Bigelow is from Asbury Park, New Jersey, which is located in the United States. Hacksaw tries to pick up Bigelow, and that’s not his best decision. Hacksaw eventually does pick up Bigelow, but he falls on him for two. He finally bodyslams Bigelow and goes for the three-point stance, but Hacksaw runs his head into the turnbuckle. That allows Bigelow to hit the flying headbutt for the victory. (*1/2)
COMMENTARY: You can call 1-900-KING for $1.49 for the first minute and 99 cents after that. Terry Taylor is running the phones, and The Steiners, Crush, and The Smoking Gunns are talking to people. Crush tells a woman named Cheryl that he’s gonna be the new champ.
“The Narcissist” Lex Luger vs. Tatanka – King of the Ring Quarterfinals
Heenan uses the Brain Scan again to look at Luger’s incredible physique. Howard Finkel announces the referee is forcing Luger to wear an elbow pad due to the screws in his arm. Tatanka is still undefeated, so that’s the story entering this one. Luger starts posing, so Tatanka throws the mirror on him. It’s all Tatanka in the early going, and Bigelow is backstage and he wants to “get his hands on the Indian.” Well then.
Luger regains the advantage, but Tatanka rolls him up for a near fall. More back and forth, with Luger wearing down his opponent. JR reveals that we’re 11 minutes into the match, and there’s a 15-minute time limit. Tatanka runs wild and gets another near fall and then another. Tatanka with the chop off the top, but Lugers kicks out yet again. Tatanka back up top, but Luger moves out of the way. The crowd is really into this.
They keep bringing up the time limit, so you know how this is gonna play out. The crowd in the arena doesn’t have a clue since they aren’t updating them. Luger hits a backbreaker for two, and the bell rings for the draw. The fans aren’t happy as Fink announces that both men are eliminated in the tournament, so Luger gets on the mic and says he wants five more minutes. The referee says hell no, and Luger removes the arm pad and wallops Tatanka. (***, Recommended)
BACKSTAGE: Mean Gene Okerlund with Bret and Perfect. Gene tries to stir the shit between these two as he starts putting words in Bret’s mouth. Scheme Gene at it again! Bret says Stu Hart beat Larry Hennig, and they bicker for a bit before Perfect pulls his hand away for the fake handshake. Bret walks off, and Perfect says he owes Bret for SummerSlam. That match was excellent.
Bret Hart vs. Mr. Perfect – King of the Ring Semifinals
Bret has his hand taped, and Heenan brings up that Razor stomped his hand in the first match. You’ve gotta appreciate the little details. As you would expect, this is a technical masterclass early. Perfect turns up the aggression, and the sportsmanship is out the window as he starts kicking Bret’s leg. Perfect catapults Bret off the apron into the steel barricade, and now Bret is selling the knee.
Perfect hits a dropkick off the top, but Bret kicks out at two. Perfect amps up the speed, but Bret meets him up top for a superplex…and Perfect kicks out at two and a half. Bret turns the tables by going after Perfect’s leg, and Bret locks in the figure four. Perfect somehow manages to get to the ropes, and Bret quickly goes right after the leg again.
Perfect gets back and track and locks in the sleeper. Bret gets to the ropes, and Perfect is still favoring his leg. Back to the sleeper, and Perfect uses the ropes for leverage. Bret throws Perfect into the corner, and he racks him under the ropes. Good stuff by commentary to bring up the idea that Bigelow could back in his way into being the first winner having to win only one match.
Bret goes for the Sharpshooter, but Perfect goes after the injured hand. Smart! Perfect goes for the Perfect Plex, but Bret reverses and suplexes both of them over the top to the outside. Perfect with an inside cradle, but Bret counters for the win. This was fantastic and, honestly, almost as good as the SummerSlam 1991 showdown. Perfect shakes Bret’s hand after the match. (****, Must-See)
BACKSTAGE: Gene with Hogan and Jimmy Hart. Hogan is gonna retain the title, and Jimmy is fired up.
Yokozuna (w/Mr. Fuji) vs. (c) Hulk Hogan (w/Jimmy Hart) – WWF Title
Photographers follow Yokozuna down the aisle, and JR says they’re documenting his journey. Keep that in mind. Savage says some people feel that Bret should have received the rematch against Hogan, and I’d say that’s accurate. Yokozuna uses his power, but Hogan fights back and starts biting Yokozuna in the corner. Hogan tries to pick up Yokozuna, but that isn’t happening.
Yokozuna works in the bearhug, and it’s great seeing the Hogan superfan, Roddy Hogan, in the front row. The fans rally behind Hogan as he punches out of it, but Yokozuna hits him with an elbow to the face. Yokozuna with a belly-to-belly suplex, but Hogan kicks out. Hulk up time, brother. Hogan with the big boot, then another, but Yokozuna won’t go down. He finally does after a third. Hogan with the leg drop, but Yokozuna kicks out at two!
Hogan knocks Fuji off the apron, and one of the cameramen hops on the apron. And then his camera hits Hogan with a fireball to the face, and Yokozuna drops the leg on Hogan to win the title. After the match, Yokozuna hits the Banzai Drop on Hogan for good measure. Heenan declares that Hulkamania is finished. The crowd was into this and expected Hogan to do his thing, but there’s a new champ. (**)
BACKSTAGE: Gene with Shawn Michaels and a rather large man. Michaels runs down Hogan, but Gene is focused on the name of the man standing behind him. Micheals reveals that it’s his insurance policy, and reveals him as Diesel.
The Steiner Brothers and The Smoking Gunns vs. Money Inc. and The Headshrinkers – 8-Man Tag Team Match
Money Inc. are the tag champs, so everyone is aiming for them. Savage notes that they couldn’t stay on the same page with The Headshrinkers on Raw, so that’s worth mentioning. This match is about what you’d expect, with everyone getting an opportunity to get some work in during an action-packed sprint.
Ted DiBiase puts the Million Dollar Dream on Billy Gunn, but DiBiase wants to taunt a bit before finishing the job. However, Gunn reverses into a small package for the victory. Not much to it. (**)
COMMENTARY: Taylor is about fed up with this hotline. Josh asks Razor about the 1-2-3 Kid, and he says something about Mr. Perfect’s mother dancing naked on a table. I think that was in reference to money.
BACKSTAGE: Jack Tunney congratulates Yokozuna. Fuji says he told Gene that Yokozuna would win. Fuji says they’re gonna celebrate in America.
Crush vs. (c) Shawn Michaels (w/Diesel) – Intercontinental Title
JR says Hogan’s vision is gonna be fine, and Savage says Hogan will be back for Yokozuna. Crush with a shoulder tackle that sends Michaels to the outside. A few dropkicks send Michaels out yet again. Crush showcases his strength, and Savage argues he could slam Yokozuna. I’m not sure about that. Diesel helps Michaels retreat for a much-needed break. Crush goes after Michaels, but Diesel stands between them. Michaels sneaks in and hits Crush from behind, and then Michaels bounces Crush’s head off the ring post.
Crush has the momentum as he throws Michaels onto the top rope. Crush swats Michaels off the top, and he hits a backbreaker for two. Here comes Doink, but there isn’t just one of them. They are smoking cigars, and that distracts Crush. Michaels hits the Superkick to Crush into the corner, and Michaels pins him to retain. (**1/2)
BACKSTAGE: Gene with Bigelow, and he’s gonna be the first King of the Ring.
Bam Bam Bigelow vs. Bret Hart – King of the Ring Finals
Commentary does a great job of putting over Bret’s path to the final, which was quite a contrast to Bigelow’s path. Heenan is all-in on Bigelow for that reason. Bret with another masterful selling performance to set him up as the huge underdog. Bigelow, meanwhile, is the dominant heel looking to take advantage of that. It’s the perfect scenario for the King of the Ring tournament.
Bigelow goes after Bret’s back throughout the entire match, using a variety of moves to wear him down. They also show Mean Gene Okerlund watching from the stage in what was a cool presentation element. Some awesome back and forth, and Luna Vachon comes out to attack Bret’s back with a chair while Bigelow occupies the referee. And then Bigelow hits the diving headbutt for the surprise win!
However, here comes Earl Hebner, who saw the shenanigans, and Joey Marella declares that the match must continue. Your mileage on match restarts will vary, but it made a lot of sense in this spot. Bigelow tries to wear down Bret ever more, but the story is that Bret won’t quit. Bigelow does a few counters, but Bret jumps on Bigelow’s shoulders and uses the victory roll to score the win. (****, Must-See)
ON THE STAGE: We get the crowning ceremony, and Jerry Lawler comes out to proclaim that he is the true king of the WWF. He then assaults Bret with some medieval objects to add insult to injury.
In this WWF Monday Night Raw 9/18/95 review, Owen Hart and Yokozuna team up against Men on a Mission, Razor Ramon goes one-on-one with The 1-2-3 Kid, and more.
Let’s jump in.
VIDEO: Highlights from last week’s Raw, which featured Dean Douglas taking it to Razor Ramon and 1-2-3 Kid in the match against The British Bulldog. Of course, that led to a spot with Kid accidentally splashing Razor to set up a match between the two.
1-2-3 Kid vs. Razor Ramon
Before the match, they show the replay from Kid’s memorable Raw win against Razor a few years ago. Kid attacks Razor when he enters the ring and eventually goes for a flying body press, but Razor does a fallaway slam off the top rope for a near fall. Razor adds some VICIOUS chops after that and Kid is forced to retreat. Back inside, and Razor hits a chokeslam for another near fall.
Vince is ALL IN on pushing kid as the ultimate underdog, which makes sense. Kid gains momentum and throws Razor over the top and pops him in the mouth for good measure. Kid then with an eniziguri for a one count as Razor gets his foot on the bottom rope. Kid locks on the sleeper and holds that thing through the commercial break.
Razor finally picks him up for a back suplex and both men are down. Razor puts his arm over Kid but only gets a two. Huge right hands from Razor, and he clotheslines Kid in the corner. Razor goes for more offense on Kid, and he bumps into him….and that sends Kid into the referee. HERE COMES DEAN DOUGLAS, who hits a splash off the top onto Razor. Kid slowly rolls in and puts his arm over Razor for the victory.
Blake’s Take: The chemistry was undeniable between these two, and this was entertaining. Douglas interfering was predictable, but it makes sense for the feud. Kid scores another surprise win over Razor, and that’s another fun story thread attached to this. (Recommended)
BACKSTAGE: Douglas gives his report card, with Kid earning a “D” for dumb, Razor scoring a “E” for elevate, and we get to Dean from there.
VIDEO: Replay of Ted DiBiase getting SLOPPED by Henry O. Godwinn on Superstars. Vince saying SLOPPED is an experience.
Tatanka and Kama (w/Ted DiBiase) vs. Savio Vega and Bob Holly
Tatanka and Savio kick things off, and Savio runs wild. Kama enters but Holly hits a few hip tosses on him. More tags and Tatanka goes over and pulls Holly off the apron. That allows Kama to get a cheap shot on Savio until Holly hits Kama from behind. The referee tries to get Holly out of the ring since he isn’t the legal man, which of course allows a double team move from Tatanka and Kama. Tatanka baits Holly again for another double team. Kama does the same. Get out of the ring, Holly!
Double clothesline from Tatanka and Savio, and finally both make a tag. Holly with a dropkick off the top, but Tatanka breaks up the pin. It’s a BROUHAHA, but Kama reverses Holly’s flying cross body and literally drops the man on his neck for the pin for the win.
Blake’s Take: This was not Razor vs. Kid.
BACKSTAGE: Razor tells Douglas that he’s gonna carve him up when they meet face to face.
Jean Pierre Lafitte vs. Brian Walsh
Vince says this jobber’s name, and I think it’s Brian Walsh. Or maybe Brian Ross. Or maybe Hip Toss. Either way, Bret Hart is on the phone, and he didn’t realize that there were steal pirates in the world. He’s also pissed about Lafitte stealing sunglasses from kids and stealing his jacket. Lawler taunts Bret, and they go back and forth. Meanwhile, Lafitte destroys Toss for the easy victory.
Blake’s Take: SQUASH.
IN THE RING: Tony Chimel is reinforcing the ring because of the HOSS FIGHT that is up next.
Men on a Mission vs. Owen Hart and Yokozuna (w/Jim Cornette and Mr. Fuji)
Vince reminds us of Mabel winning the 1995 King of the Ring, and we’re gonna have to go back and review that one. What a show. Mo takes it to Owen before tagging in Mabel, and he showcases his power. Mo goes to work, and Mabel kicks Owen in the back and then chokes him behind the referee’s back. Double team action, and Yokozuna isn’t Holly and realizes he needs to get his ass out of the ring.
Mo and Owen counter pin attempts, and Owen throws Mo to the outside. Here comes Yokozuna. Mabel gets in and the fans want to see it! Mabel gets out, and Yokozuna pummels Mo in the corner. Owen back in, and he and Mo both come up short on an enziguri. Both men make a tag, and it’s Yokozuna vs. Mabel! Chaos ensues, but Owen hits a knee to Mo’s back and then a dropkick off the top for a near fall.
Owen goes up top, but Mo racks him and hits a superplex. However, Yokozuna breaks up the pin. Yokozuna knocks Mabel to the outside, and Cornette hops on the apron to distract the referee. That allows Owen and Yokozuna to work a double team on Monday, and Owen pins him for the win.
BACKSTAGE: Shawn Michaels says the trash-talking is done at In Your House, and he and Diesel are gonna win the tag titles. Diesel says he’s coming back to Michigan, and they’re gonna win all the hardware.
IN THE RING: Cornette tells Vince that Michaels and Diesel are gonna get beaten and lose their titles. Cornette points out the rules of the stipulation for their tag match, and then asks Michaels and Diesel about them breaking up when they teamed up in a previous match. Cornette doesn’t think they can trust each other, but Owen and Yokozuna can.
RINGSIDE: Lawler predicts that Yokozuna will defeat Diesel and become the new WWF champ. Vince announces The Undertaker vs. The British Bulldog as a featured match for next week’s show.
Blake’s WWF Monday Night RAW 9/18/95 Rating
In this WWF Raw 12/15/97 review, Shawn Michaels and Triple H face The Legion of Doom, Owen Hart confronts Vince McMahon after the Montreal Screwjob, and much more.
Let’s jump in.
IN THE RING: Michael Cole asks The Undertaker about his upcoming match with Shawn Michaels at the 1998 Royal Rumble. Cole brings up the stipulation being a Casket Match. Taker says he’s fought Michaels twice, and he can beat him again. Taker says he’s lost only one of these matches, and it took 10 people to put him in there. The lights go out, and here comes Kane with Paul Bearer. Kane goes face-to-face with Taker, and Bearer reminds everyone that Taker burned his parents. Bearer is gonna give Taker another opportunity to face Kane, who slaps Taker right in the face. He tries again, but Taker grabs his arm and walks away.
VIDEO: Promotion for WWF: The Music Volume 2. It was $14.95 on CD. Those were the days.
VIDEO: The 1-800-COLLECT rewind looks at Brian Christopher joining Jerry Lawler in his feud against Taka Michinoku.
Jerry Lawler vs. Taka Michinoku
Michinoku defeated Christopher to be crowned the first Light Heavyweight champ at In Your House: DX eight days before this show. Jim Ross reminds us that the UFC will be in Japan on Sunday, featuring Frank Shamrock. The difference between these two is obvious when Taka flies onto the ropes and hits a splash onto Lawler in the aisle. JR also brings up that Owen Hart is gonna have his first opportunity to address the “controversial” situation at Survivor Series. Lawler hits the piledriver on Taka but doesn’t go for the cover, so of course, he misses a flying punch. Taka gains the momentum, but Christopher interferes for the DQ. Christopher accidentally punches Lawler, and that’s that.
COMMENTARY: Call the hotline, and they’ll tell you a story about DX almost inciting a riot!
BACKSTAGE: Hawk and Animal are coming for DX.
VIDEO: Advertisement of the Jakks action figures championship series, featuring Legion of Doom, Rocky Maivia, British Bulldog, Owen, and Taker. Those were awesome.
VIDEO: Highlights of Steve Austin forfeiting the Intercontinental title to The Rock, and then hitting him with a Stunner.
IN THE RING: Rock introduces himself as The People’s Champion and best damn Intercontinental champ there ever was. Faarooq tries to speak, but Rock says the champ is talking. Rock orders Austin to bring him the title. Here comes Austin, and he calls Rock a piece of trash. Rock’s mannerisms are incredible. Austin tells Rock to grab a monitor because he has a surprise for him. Rock tells Austin he has an hour to return his property to him.
VIDEO: Head to Shopzone.WWF.com for merch!
Dude Love vs. Road Dog
JR informs us that Austin has left the arena. Where’s he heading? This is still the period where Billy Gunn is doing the entrance promo and not Road Dog, who still only had one “d” in his name. Gunn joins commentary. JR suggests that Dog and Gunn be called The New Age Outlaws, and Gunn likes it. History in the making. Gunn gets in a few cheap shots on Dude, but he eventually morphs into using Mankind moves like the Mandible Claw. Dude hits the Double-Arm DDT for the win.
Gunn tries to go after Dude with a chair, but they brawl up the ramp and Dog joins the mix. Dog and Gunn suplex Dude on the stage as the crowd chant for LOD. Gunn hits a DDT on Dude, and then they shoves a referee into Dude as he flies off the stage through a table. He sort of over shot the table and went hip-first onto the concrete floor. Dog and Gunn beat him down some more.
The Brooklyn Brawler vs. Mark Henry
This is Henry’s Raw debut. JR lets us know that Austin has requested a WWF cameraman follow him, so that’s intriguing. Henry destroys Brawler for the squash victory.
VIDEO: Highlights of Owen attacking Michaels at In Your House, then again on last week’s Raw.
IN THE RING: We’re into the War Zone hour, which means Jim Cornette joins commentary. Vince McMahon comes out and says Owen has been endangering ringside fans with his recent actions. Vince says Owen is under contract, so he must appear. Owen comes through the crowd, and Vince wants to know what this is about. Owen says he doesn’t owe Vince a damn thing, and he’s tired of apologizing. Owen says Bret Hart, Jim Neidhart, and British Bulldog did what they had to do, and he’s gonna do what he has to do in the WWF. Owen says no one will run him out of the company. Vince turns this into a story about the WWF title, and Owen says “how stupid are you?” Owen says this is real life and his reputation. Owen is gonna make things hard on Michaels, and he’s gonna finish things between them. Vince brings out security and says Owen will enter like a WWF superstar next week instead of entering from the crowd. Owen grabs Vince by the collar and shoves him. This was a great segment.
VIDEO: Call 1-900-RUMBLE-98 to win Austin’s truck!
VIDEO: Highlights of Marc Mero demanding that Sable wear a potato sack on last week’s Raw. She removed it, and it was something many teenagers remember.
Tom Brandi vs. The Sultan (w/The Iron Sheik)
Cornette talks up Brandi’s athleticism. That may not matter in this match, because Sultan uses his strength to control the action. JR updates us that Austin is on a bridge, so there’s a development. The signal should come in for the next segment. Sheik gets on the apron to distract Sultan, but Brandi moves and Sultan runs into him. Brandi rolls up Sultan for the win. Mero attacks Brandi after the match, and the crowd wants them some Sable.
IN THE RING: Rock and The Nation of Domination are back out. We get another highlight package of Austin telling Vince he’s not gonna wrestle Rock, and then he knocks Vince off the apron. Vince wants to hit Austin with a chair, but officials get between them. Rock says they’re coming to get the title. We cut to the Titantron, and Austin is indeed on the bridge. He throws a variety of things in the river, including a pager and the belt. Rock’s eyes tell the story of this rivalry.
VIDEO: Vince says the WWF is making a conscious effort to open the creative envelope to entertain the fans in a more contemporary manner. Vince says they borrow from Days Of Our Lives, MTV music videos, King of the Hill, Seinfeld, and other forms of television entertainment. He says fans are tired of having their intelligence insulted and the theory of good guys vs, bad guys. He also takes a shot at the “take your vitamins and say your prayers” era. Vince encourages some degree of parental discretion. Vince says the new direction has resulted in a boost in viewership, and he thanks the fans for watching that Raw is the cure for the common show. And there’s the Attitude Era kickoff.
Jose vs. Steve Blackman
Los Boricuas were still featured in this era, but all his stable mates head to the back for the match. Blackman hits a German suplex, and that’ll do it for the victory.
BACKSTAGE: Michaels says he’s not hard to find if Owen wants him. He does rock, paper, scissors, and HHH wins, so he gets Owen.
VIDEO: The Lazer Tag Slam of the Week is Taker hitting the chokeslam on Sultan.
Shawn Michaels and HHH (w/Chyna) vs. Legion of Doom
This is quite a tag match on paper. The crowd loves them some LOD, and Hawk and Animal bounce Michaels around for a bit. Some shenanigans from the heels allow them to gain the advantage. There’s a sign in the crowd that says “WWF eats nWo raw” which is raw and full of attitude. Dog and Gunn hit ringside, and they try to choke out Hawk. Chyna gets in the ring and low blows Animal for the DQ. Chyna then hammers Animal with the title. Gunn shaves Hawk’s mohawk, and Michaels wants them to do something to Animal. They team up and powerbomb Animal through the announce table. And then Gunn flies off the top with a leg drop on Hawk. Michaels hits a flying elbow, and the four men want the titles. Michaels stares at them and says “not bad” as they head to the back.
In this WWE SmackDown 10/10/25 review, here are five thoughts on what’s next for Cody Rhodes’ Undisputed WWE title reign, Aleister Black vs. Damian Priest in a Last Man Standing Match, and much more.
Let’s jump in!
1. Who will be Cody Rhodes’ next opponent for the Undisputed WWE Championship?
Cody’s comments towards Seth Rollins were about what you’d expect entering their highly anticipated Crown Jewel match, but I’m more interested in the next opponent for the QB1. Will it be Jacob Fatu or Drew McIntyre? I’ve mentioned that I was surprised that Cody beat McIntyre clean as a whistle at Wrestlepalooza, but perhaps there’s a story brewing with potential rematch. Or is ‘The Samoan Werewolf’ about to get his opportunity at the top title in the company? WWE has protected Fatu about as well as anyone on the roster in recent years, and a showdown with Cody would be a fresh feud on SmackDown.
2. I’m intrigued by the Aleister Black and Zelina Vega pairing.
Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch are back together on WWE television. CM Punk and AJ Lee are everyone’s favorite couple. And now we can add Black and Vega to the list of on-screen husband/wife duos. The thing is, I’m a huge fan of this particular decision. It gives Black an extra element to his presentation coming out of a signature win against Priest in the Last Man Standing Match, and it gives Vega a new start after the lackluster booking for her Women’s United States title run. It seems like a win-win for everyone in this scenario. There’s also more confidence in WWE getting in right, which wasn’t there under the previous regime.
3. Shinsuke Nakamura is back, and so is his theme music.
Nakamura was a nice choice for the next installment of the United States Title Open Challenge. The better choice was bringing back his old theme music. There was a report that other WWE superstars doing the same, and good for them. It can’t be understated what an awesome theme song can do to reinvigorate the crowd’s interest in a wrestler. The match was also a lot of fun. I assumed Grayson Waller would be the surprise opponent, but revisiting the history between Zayn and Nakamura was the more intriguing option.
4. Sign me up for Solo Sikoa and The MFTs vs. The Wyatt Sicks.
Joe Gacy and Dexter Lumis retained the WWE Tag Team Championships against The Street Profits, and the storyline direction for Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins could be interesting moving forward. However, the biggest development was a staredown between The Wyatt Sicks and the new-look MFTs. Solo Sikoa had his group decked out in face paint – sort of like The Guerrillas of Destiny – and Tama Tonga finally made his return after being sidelined due to injury. The transition from The Bloodline storyline was brutal for Solo and company, and this is at least a positive step forward.
5. Tiffany Stratton and Stephanie Vaquer do their thing.
There was little doubt that Stratton and Vaquer were going to defeat Giulia and Kiana James. As discussed on the previous edition on SmackDown, the portrayal of Stratton and Vaquer compared to that of Giulia has been vastly different. That was once again obvious in this match. Perhaps Giulia will have a storyline to sink her teeth into at some point. As for Stratton and Vaquer, WWE hasn’t pushed much story in their champion vs. champion match at Crown Jewel, but it should be good stuff. The fans react great for both, and hopefully WWE allows them to showcase their talents.
For more of my show reviews, visit the Reviews section!
In this WWE SmackDown 10/3/25 review, here are five thoughts on Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton vs. Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed, another Sami Zayn United States Title Open Challenge, and much more
Let’s jump in!
1. Paul Heyman’s prophecy came true.
The Oracle pontificated a possible scenario for the main event. What if Cody wasn’t there to help Orton when he needed it? That’s how it played out, with Breakker sending Cody through the barricade before Seth Rollins interfered to allow Reed to score the win on Orton. It’s yet another intriguing development in the long-running tease of a Cody vs. Orton feud. Orton also gave a few innocent – but really not-so-innocent – glances at the Undisputed WWE Championship during the show. There aren’t many options on the blue brand for Cody’s next big title program, so Orton being next up would make sense. Maybe Kevin Owens was right about Cody after all.
2. What will Heyman think of Rollins ignoring his advice?
Speaking of The Oracle, he also tried to instill some wisdom on the World Heavyweight Champion. Rollins has become consumed by his lack of success against Rhodes, so despite Heyman’s warning to not get back in the ring after the match, ‘The Visionary’ did so anyways. It didn’t go as planned. Cody countered a Curb Stomp attempt into a Cross Rhodes, once again getting the better of his rival. WWE has teased a power struggle between Rollins and Heyman within The Vision, so the response from both me should be interesting.
3. Sami Zayn does it again.
Another week, another great match in the United States Title Open Challenge. I liked the tease of Carmelo Hayes accepting it again right after he broke up with The Miz. A new ‘Melo is coming to win the title! And then, of course, Miz got some revenge. That set up Aleister Black to stroll down as Zayn’s new opponent. To no one’s surprise, the match was a lot of fun. This is still the best thing going on SmackDown each week. Who will Zayn face next week in Perth? Miz could be an option to allow Carmelo to return the favor.
4. Solo Sikoa is teasing something interesting.
There is no doubt that Solo and the MFTs have lost some momentum after the Jacob Fatu feud. Can they regain it with the tease of a new member? Solo said on SmackDown that the group is still missing something, and once they find it, they’re gonna destroy everyone. Is it the return of Tama Tonga? A potential Zilla Fatu debut? How many other members of The Bloodline are out there? It’s going to be a challenge for this group to jump back into the upper echelon on SmackDown, but I’m at least curious what they’re cooking up.
5. Giulia. Oh, Giulia.
The Women’s United States title picture is the complete opposite of the men’s. The lack of reaction for Giulia and Kiana James is something, even when they’re interacting with top champions like Tiffany Stratton and Stephanie Vaquer. Giulia was a star in NXT, but she’s not getting the same opportunities that Stratton, Vaquer, and Roxanne Perez – all former NXT champs as well – have on the main roster. Maybe it’s an English language thing. Maybe WWE has just dropped the ball on her. Or perhaps it’s something else. Either way, Giulia deserves better. So does the SmackDown women’s division.
For more of my show reviews, visit the Reviews section!
In this WWE NXT 9/30/25 review, here are five thoughts on the build to NXT vs. TNA Showdown, what stood out with the choices for each of the Survivor Series teams, and much more.
Let’s jump in.
1. The men’s match was set up nicely.
Both the NXT and TNA men’s teams make sense. Ricky Saints and Trick Williams attempting to be on the same page will likely play a role in the match, and the addition of two up-and-comers in Evans and Borne is good for the squad. For TNA, Santana is perfect for the leader role, and the choices of Frankie Kazarian, Moose, and Leon Slater makes for a well-rounded team. This is the main attraction for next week’s show, and it was presented as such.
2. The women’s match was…not.
Meanwhile, I was less impressed with how they put together the women’s match. Jayne, who has run down almost everyone in the NXT women’s division, publicly boasting the accomplishments of her teammates – Sol Ruca, Jaida Parker, and the person she just had a hard-hitting feud with in Lola Vice – and them treating her as if she’s this trusted leader just seemed silly. The TNA team features Kelani Jordan (a somewhat random choice for new TNA Knockouts Champion), Jessie McKay and Cassie Lee (mostly known for their WWE careers), and Mara Sade (aka Jakarra Jackson, another former NXT talent). Huh? Now, there is an asterisk for how this team was compiled: Ash By Elegance abruptly vacated the TNA Knockouts Championship at Victory Road, and former champion Masha Slamovich has been removed from television after an abuse accusation. There were undoubtedly significant changes to the original plans, so we can cut them some slack.
3. Is Showdown a good thing for either brand?
Perhaps the biggest issue is that the whole Showdown theme feels forced. While these are two different companies, it doesn’t seem that much different from the goofy brand vs. brand supremacy that WWE used to do for Survivor Series. It’s an invasion between two companies that have regularly worked together and had a plethora of these stars already appear on the other’s shows. I know that an invasion is an easy trope in wrestling, but the old school wrestling fan in me is wondering why either locker room would shift the focus from their personal goals (like winning titles or destroying rivals) to participate in a “war” with a company that is no threat to them.
4. Where was Oba Femi?
Femi was nowhere to be found after losing the NXT Championship to Saints at No Mercy. Is that a surprise? Of course not, but it does somewhat confirm the next move for him. I mentioned that should he lose to Saints, there would simply be nothing left for him to do in NXT. That has to mean that a WWE main roster call-up is in store for ‘The Ruler,’ and rightfully so. He’s also one of those superstars that would be hard to slot into an invasion storyline.
5. Mustafa Ali’s promo was great stuff.
Ali made his return to WWE television after being released by the company in September 2023. And his promo was stellar. What a unique scenario that played right into the story that they are telling, with Ali mentioning that he never got the North American title shot that he earned. You know, since he was fired the week prior to the match. He should have plenty to prove in his match against Ethan Page at Showdown. A title change is unlikely, but I’m intrigued at what’s next for him.
For more of my show reviews, visit the Reviews section!
In this WWE Raw 9/29/25 review, here are five thoughts on Roman Reigns’ return, the back and forth between Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins, and much more.
Let’s jump in.
1. The Bloodline is back together, and the dynamic is fascinating between them.
WWE has been teasing an interesting character arc for Jey Uso, and Reigns’ return from hiatus – thanks to the combination of a beatdown from ‘The Vision’ and filming his role in the new Street Fighter movie – sets up a suspenseful path for the three original members of The Bloodline. Reigns had some motivational words for Jey. Then Jey responded that he was ready to smash them all. But Jimmy Uso looked on with a hint of concern at what Jey could become under Reigns’ leadership – the same story thread they’ve been cooking up for years. For many people, The Bloodline saga had a bit of a dip in quality prior to all of them going in different directions. But this current setup should be must-see TV.
2. Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins deliver yet again.
These two are money together. We discussed in last week’s Raw review that there is so much history to explore with them, and WWE did an excellent job doing just that on this show. Rollins telling Cody that he was the “lesser of two evils” in his choice to be his shield at WrestleMania 40 was a nice touch, and so was Cody stirring up potential drama with Paul Heyman’s relationship with Brock Lesnar and whether or not Rollins approves. The Crown Jewel match between Cody and Rollins is going to be fantastic, and when it comes to long-term storytelling, these two have been the biggest winners in the Triple H era.
3. Speaking of drama and approval…
We’ve got half soap opera, half teen drama going on right now with Rhea Ripley, IYO SKY, Asuka, and Kairi Sane. I know there has been mixed reaction to the execution of the storyline – and some of the acting performances – but I’m entertained. The tag team match was inevitable, and it gives Rhea something noteworthy for Crown Jewel since it’s in Perth. Maybe it’s the wrestling fan in me, but is a SKY turn to reunite with Asuka and Sane a possibility? I don’t think so. SKY held back from any physical aggression on Asuka or Sane, but eventually, they are going to make her break. Also, Sane sitting the photo of the three of them on SKY’s lap backstage was manipulation at its finest.
4. More women’s division drama!
Another storyline that is growing on me is this whole thing between Bayley and Lyra Valkyria. If we’re talking about growth on the main roster, Valkyria has to be one of the top five most improved superstars over the past year. On paper, this is a difficult storyline to pull off, but Valkyria’s reactions are a big reason why it’s working. It’s also one of those stories where you know Bayley is going to eventually lose it on her, but you don’t know her specific plan for how she’s gonna do it.
5. Dominik Mysterio is still the Intercontinental Champion.
We asked the question of whether Rusev should defeat Dominik to win the title. Some thought it was a likely possibility to set up Rusev vs. a returning Ilja Dragunov. However, ‘Dirty Dom’ retained with a mule kick right to Rusev’s balls. That came after Dominik tried to pull an Eddie Guerrero by throwing the chair to Rusev, but the referee wasn’t falling for it. There was a huge reaction from the crowd when Dominik won, and it’s obvious WWE is going to ride the hot hand with the double champ. Could Finn Balor be the person who eventually wins the title from him?
For more of my show reviews, visit the Reviews section!
In this debut installment of WWE power rankings, I share thoughts on where things stand with some of the top superstars.
Power rankings are completely subjective and aren’t based on win/loss records like many use for sports. It’s just having fun with the direction of a variety of superstars.
Let’s jump in.
10. Ricky Saints
We’ve gotta show some love to the new NXT Champion. Saints dethroned Oba Femi at NXT No Mercy (my review), which ended the ruler’s nearly 10-month reign at the top.
9. Tiffany Stratton
Speaking of lengthy title reigns, Stratton defeated Jade Cargill and Nia Jax on SmackDown to retain the WWE Women’s Championship. She has held the title for 268 days as of this writing, and is now set for a huge one-on-one match at Crown Jewel against….someone else on this list.
8. Becky Lynch
I doubt ‘The Man’ would be thrilled with this ranking. You know, since she’s used to saying she’s the best. It’s not just her saying it. Sports Illustrated says it. Jokes aside, Becky was pissed on Raw coming off the mixed tag team loss to CM Punk and AJ Lee. What’s her plan to get ‘The Vision’ back on track?
7. Stephanie Vaquer
Vaquer is red-hot at the moment after winning the Women’s World Championship at Wrestlepalooza. She’ll face Stratton at Crown Jewel in what should be a fantastic match, and my early pick is that ‘La Primera’ walks out with the win.
6. Sami Zayn
The United States Title Open Challenge has been a huge boost for SmackDown. Zayn is putting on – sorry, Sheamus – banger after banger after banger, with the most recent coming against NXT star Je’Von Evans. Zayn’s path seems clear as the likely favorite to win the 2026 Royal Rumble.
5. Jey Uso
I’m highly enjoying what WWE is doing with Jey. He’s not a traditional babyface, he’s not a traditional heel. He’s just a man who got to the top of the mountain and is realizing that getting back there is the toughest part of the journey. Keep embracing your inner Roman Reigns, Uce.
4. AJ Lee
Although she didn’t appear on Raw last week, Lee is still one of the top stars in WWE right now. Her pinning Becky at Wrestlepalooza was the right move, and it sets up an eventual showdown for the Intercontinental Championship between the two. Beyond that, the sky is the limit as to what WWE can do with her.
3. Seth Rollins
Just like Becky, Rollins isn’t going to be excited about landing behind his arch nemesis in these rankings. Nonetheless, Rollins is on a collision course with another top champion at Crown Jewel, and it could be one of the best matches in WWE this year.
2. CM Punk
We have to be getting closer to another match between Rollins and Punk for the World Heavyweight Championship. In the meantime, Punk is riding a wave of momentum on Raw, and there is plenty of curiosity as to when the two longtime rivals face off.
1. Cody Rhodes
Cody vs. Rollins is going to be excellent, especially with all the backstory that WWE is already tying into the match. However, after Crown Jewel, Cody may have to turn his focus back to Randy Orton, who gave another stare to the WWE Championship after saving his friend from Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed.
For more of my show reviews, visit the Reviews section!
In this WWE NXT No Mercy 2025 review, here are five thoughts on Ricky Saints defeating Oba Femi for the NXT Championship, who helped Jacy Jayne retain the NXT Women’s Championship, and much more.
Let’s jump in.
I picked Femi in this match, but it was with the caveat of the unknown of WWE’s main roster plans for both men. Those plans are now clear. WWE set up a fresh NXT title picture with Saints winning, with possible feuds with Je’Von Evans, Ethan Page, Trick Williams, and others in store for the champ. Meanwhile, Femi is headed to Raw or SmackDown. There’s no need for a rematch, and the only unfinished business he has left in NXT is the rematch with Trick Williams on Tuesday. He has all the tools necessary to be a main event superstar, so let ‘The Ruler’ make the move and start the road to greatness. I’ve seen the fantasy booking on social media for him to either be John Cena’s final opponent or win the 2026 Royal Rumble and face Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 42. That’s one way to make a star, but it’s also a lot of pressure on someone who has never had a match outside of the WWE developmental system. Either way, all eyes are on Saints and Femi moving forward.
It seemed unlikely that both Jayne and Femi would be dethroned, so when she won, I was sold on Saints winning. Of course, it wasn’t just a win for The Fatal Influence leader. Fallon Henley was banned from ringside after trying to interfere in the match, which led to a mystery attack from someone in all black. If you read the NXT No Mercy predictions article, you know my guess: Lainey Reid. She wasn’t medically cleared to compete in her scheduled match against Sol Ruca for the WWE Women’s Speed Championship – which Ruca successfully defended against Jaida Parker – but that can easily be used as storyline fuel. It also allows Jayne to favor Reid over Henley, who again could have cost Jayne the title by getting thrown out of the match. Plenty to work with in this significant development.
The Weaponized Steel Cage Match was the best match on the show. Monroe showcased her aggressive side, and I thought shoving the kendo stick into Grace’s injured hand was a nice touch (maybe for me, but not for Grace!). The same could be said for Monroe cutting Grace’s hair and then giving a devious smile, while also rubbing the hair on her face. Of course, Grace eventually shoved the hair into Monroe’s mouth. With Monroe winning at Heatwave, Grace coming out on top in this one makes sense. Can Grace finally win the NXT Women’s title? And what about Monroe?
Evans was spectacular in his match against Sami Zayn on SmackDown, and he once again shined in his victory over Josh Briggs at No Mercy. It was the right move due to the stat I mentioned in the predictions: Evans hadn’t won a televised match since August 19. He should be one of the top choices to eventually dethrone Saints for the NXT title. His performance in the United States Title Open Challenge could move him one step closer to the main roster, but there is still a lot to work with in NXT.
There have been multiple double champions in NXT. Page scoring the win against Tavion Heights was expected, but could ‘All Ego’ have bigger goals? As mentioned, Saints becoming the NXT Champion opens up lots of possibilities, including the two rivals reigniting their feud with all the gold at stake. He’s yet another superstar who’s ready for a main roster spot, but he’s needed more in NXT at the moment. A title vs. title match seems realistic.
For more of my show reviews, visit the Reviews section!
Here are five thoughts in this WWE SmackDown 9/26/25 review, including Cody Rhodes confronting Paul Heyman, another United States Title Open Challenge, and much more.
Let’s jump in.
1. Another tease for the eventual Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton feud?
WWE is clearly setting up a tag team match with Cody and Orton vs. Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed. It’s an effective way to get to the bigger match of Cody vs. Seth Rollins at Crown Jewel in Perth. It’s also an effective way to tease more future story material between Cody and Orton. WWE has been doing that for a year and a half now, and Orton picking up the belt to hand it to Cody – while giving a subtle stare at it – was by design. Is that a Royal Rumble match? Or possibly WrestleMania 42?
2. Let’s talk about the finish to the WWE Women’s Championship Match.
Tiffany Stratton retained the title against Jade Cargill and Nia Jax. That was to be expected since Stratton vs. Stephanie Vaquer was the best option for Crown Jewel. However, the botched finish is what most people are talking about with this match. Stratton pinned Jax after kicking Cargill out of the way, but the referee didn’t count the three when Jax didn’t get her shoulder up. You don’t see that often in WWE, but it was one of the more glaring ones given the spot.
3. The United States Open Challenge is the best thing on SmackDown right now.
Sami Zayn had another great match. Stop me if you’ve heard that before. Je’Von Evans being his opponent was perfect for a lot of reasons. For starters, it gets a spotlight on him ahead of his NXT No Mercy match against Josh Briggs (my predictions here). Also, Zayn gave Evans a stamp of approval at NXT Homecoming a few weeks ago. I’ve said many times that Evans is not only the future face of NXT, but he has the “it” factor needed to be a top star on the main roster.
4. Jacob Fatu vs. Drew McIntyre? Sign me up.
Fatu is finally back, and he’s on a collision course with McIntyre. It should be an important feud for both men. McIntyre is coming off a clean loss to Cody, but he did at least bring up the truthful points about the referee costing him at multiple points during their match at Wrestlepalooza. Meanwhile, this is an opportunity to heat things back up for Fatu, who has been one of the top breakout stars in recent years. Of course, the question is, who wins the eventual match?
5. Will Damian Priest or Aleister Black be the last man standing?
The wording from Black suggests a Last Man Standing Match between the two, possibly at Crown Jewel. This rivalry needs an extra something, so perhaps the stipulation will help. It’s the only meaningful feud Black has had since returning to WWE in April, and Priest is far removed from his World Heavyweight Championship run. This is another showdown where both need a significant win, so it’s an interesting decision for Triple H and company.
For more of my show reviews, visit the Reviews section!
The WWE NXT No Mercy 2025 predictions include thoughts on Ricky Saints vs. Oba Femi for the NXT Championship, Lola Vice vs. Jacy Jayne for the NXT Women’s Championship, and more.
Let’s jump in.
Je’Von Evans vs. Josh Briggs
Since Briggs already has a win against Evans, there is no reason to have him do it again in this spot. Evans has not won a televised match in NXT since defeating Trick Williams in a No. 1 Contender’s Match on August 19. He needs to regain momentum on his way to becoming an eventual NXT Champion.
Lainey Reid vs. (c) Sol Ruca – WWE Women’s Speed Championship
This an opportunity to catapult Reid into a different stratosphere since WWE seems to be high on her. The Speed title isn’t the most prestigious, but having her score a win against someone like Ruca would be huge. I think that’s exactly what they do here, and it could play a role in Reid joining a Fatal Influence faction that’s now down a member after Jazmyn Nyx’s WWE exit. Perhaps it’s Reid who reveals that she was the one who attacked Nyx backstage on Tuesday’s NXT.
Jordynne Grace vs. Blake Monroe – Weaponized Steel Cage Match
I don’t think you can go wrong with either. It may just depend on when Grace or Monroe are being called up to the WWE main roster. Monroe won at Heatwave, so the smart money figures to position Grace as the favorite the rematch. With the added stipulation, that seems to be the direction they’re headed in to give the babyface some revenge in what should be the final match between the two for a while. Grace needs it more, and that makes her the pick.
Tavion Heights vs. (c) Ethan Page – NXT North American Championship
Of all the potential title changes, this one is the least likely. I just don’t envision a scenario where WWE wants to take the belt off of Page right now. The CW Network loves the guy, and though he could get back in the NXT title picture depending on the outcome of the main event, he should retain.
Lola Vice vs. Jacy Jayne – NXT Women’s Championship
This is where Reid joining Fatal Influence could add a new layer to the story. They have set it up so that Vice almost has to win the title since it’s in Florida. So, what better way to screw her over than to have Reid help Jayne retain? Then, you introduce an interesting dynamic between Jayne, Reid, and Fallon Henley moving forward. But again, they’ve really teased the title swap.
Ricky Saints vs. Oba Femi – NXT Championship
The thing is, I think one of the top two titles in NXT changes hands at No Mercy. I’ve already picked Jayne to retain, so Saints wins? I’m not entirely convinced. Both of them should be on the WWE main roster in the next six months, but who moves up first? There are more fresh contenders in a Saints title reign in NXT. However, if you want to get him on the main roster soon, you don’t want him to have a short title reign to lessen his credibility. My stance has been that Evans should beat Femi to establish himself as the new face of NXT once Femi goes to Raw or SmackDown, and I’ll stick with that despite how things unfolded at Heatwave.
For more of my show reviews, visit the Reviews section!
As mentioned with Raw, this is a new column looking at five things on my mind after this week’s WWE NXT.
Let’s jump in.
1. The TNA invasion was nicely done.
I liked the setup with Ava traveling and Robert Stone and Stevie Turner running things for a night, which opened the door for pure chaos on this episode. That’s what we got with TNA wrestler being seen throughout the show, and finally, it culminated with a pier six brawl to interrupt the Title vs. Title Match between Trick Williams and Oba Femi. Which leads us to number two…
2. Should we be upset Trick vs. Femi had a cheap finish?
Probably not. We’ve come to expect it at this point in professional wrestling, as a huge match between the TNA Champion and NXT Champion on The CW isn’t going to give you a clean finish. We knew that when they set it up on NXT Homecoming last week. It served its purpose of furthering the Trick vs. Mike Santana feud ahead of Bound for Glory, and you also had the stare down between Femi and Ricky Saints to end the show ahead of their match at No Mercy. It’s not my favorite trope in wrestling, but I understand it.
3. What’s next for Fatal Influence?
I’m writing this on Wednesday, and Jazymn Nyx has revealed that she chose not to re-sign with WWE. The write-off for her on Tuesday’s NXT was rather abrupt, and Jacy Jayne and Fallon Henley shrugged off her backstage attack as nothing more than an inconvenience before Jayne stated that it was “probably for the better anyway, since only the strong survive.” Brutal. I thought Nyx was fine in her role, but this added wrinkle figures to further the long-running theme of dissension between Jayne and Henley. And what happens if Jayne loses the NXT Women’s title to Lola Vice at No Mercy?
4. The NXT video packages are a treat.
Speaking of Vice, Shawn Michaels and company took a page out of their playbook with her and used it for Saints on this show. I thought the New Orleans-based video feature on him was excellent. They did the same with Vice in recent weeks, and it adds a personal touch that makes them easy to root for entering their title matches.
5. Should NXT fans believe in Joe Hendry?
I find Hendry to be in a curious spot at the moment. He’s basically but officially on the NXT roster, and it sounds like he’s going to sign a long-term WWE contract at some point. The question is, what role does WWE envision for him? Most of the stuff he’s been doing on NXT in recent weeks has been comedy-based, but is he a future NXT Champion? He was positioned as such during the summer, and it should be fascinating to how this situation plays out for Hendry in WWE.
For more of my show reviews, visit the Reviews section!
I’m introducing a new weekly column where I look at five thoughts from the previous edition of WWE Raw.
What stood out on Monday’s show?
Let’s jump in.
1. It’s good to have Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins back together on WWE television.
I enjoyed the promo segment to set up their match at Crown Jewel. Do I love the stipulation that requires champion vs. champion for that PLE? Not at all. However, it’s one that allowed two longtime rivals to revisit their complicated history. Not only was what Cody and Rollins said effective, but so was the backstage segment where Rollins was looking at the watch Cody gave him after they teamed up at WrestleMania 40 while Becky Lynch ranted in the background. The Crown Jewel match will be terrific, and so should their interactions leading up to October 11.
2. Jey Uso’s direction is getting very interesting.
Jey defeated LA Knight, which shouldn’t come as a surprise since Knight loses every big match (that’s a topic for another day). However, Jey winning by capitalizing on a distraction from Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed? I’m intrigued. Add in the fact that Jey wouldn’t help Jimmy Uso save Knight from a beatdown after the match, and WWE is doing a great job with Jey’s direction. He’s not a heel, but instead, a frustrated babyface who realized that falling from the pinnacle and getting back there is a bigger challenge than getting there in the first place.
3. Asuka and Kairi Sane are one of the best things in WWE.
It had to happen. Asuka made it clear to IYO SKY that she wasn’t gonna put up with any bullshit, and it hit a boiling point after Asuka lost to Rhea Ripley in the main event. The dynamic between Asuka and Kairi Sane is one of the most entertaining parts of WWE television these days, and the official turn – and Sane hesitating before ultimately taking aim at both SKY and Rhea – sets up a highly anticipated tag team match at (most likely) Crown Jewel.
4. The Stephanie Vaquer era as Women’s World Champion feels unique.
It was refreshing to have a segment where a new champion didn’t get attacked by their next opponent. Instead, WWE let Stephanie Vaquer reveal her mission statement as champ, and that was that. No shenanigans, no angry heel crashing the party. I liked it a lot. Adam Pearce announced that Vaquer will face the winner of Jade Cargill vs. Nia Jax vs. Tiffany Stratton at Crown Jewel, which I would assume is Stratton.
5. Should Rusev defeat Dominik Mysterio for the Intercontinental Championship?
The showdown is officially set for next week between Rusev and Dominik. Who should win? I thought AJ Styles would defeat Dominik in one of the two matches they had, yet Dirty Dom retained in both. Getting the belt to Rusev would open up multiple feuds against a returning Ilja Dragunov, Sheamus, and more, but since this is a Raw match, I’m not convinced of the title change just yet. Dominik having two titles is a great tool for a heel, so WWE may keep pushing that theme moving forward.
For more of my show reviews, visit the Pro Wrestling Reviews section!
WWE Evolution 2025 has arrived. Who wins each of the seven matches on the card?
Here are my predictions.
Jordynne Grace vs. Jacy Jayne (c) – NXT Women’s Title
Will it be Grace or Jayne that faces TNA Knockouts Champion Masha Slamovich in a Winner-Take-All Match at Slammiversary? Grace was rumored to be joining the WWE main roster with Stephanie Vaquer, but she’s still in NXT. For that reason, she’s the best choice to be the next NXT Women’s Champion, and her first rival is likely going to be Blake Monroe depending on how things unfold in their tag team match at Great American Bash.
– Winner: Jordynne Grace
Jade Cargill vs. Naomi – No Holds Barred Match
Is this where the Money in the Bank winner loses again, and then follows it up by winning one of the titles? Naomi cashing in on Cargill at SummerSlam is a popular prediction, even if it is predictable. And with Cargill already earning the opportunity to challenge Tiffany Stratton or Trish Stratus, does she really need the win? No matter what your answer is to that question, I think she’s doing just that.
– Winner: Jade Cargill
20-Woman Battle Royal
I assume WWE is keeping this at 20, and if so, we already know all the participants. The thought was that maybe they would add some legends to the mix, but Nikki Bella is the only one in the match as it stands now, and she is likely one of the favorites to win the whole thing. The other intriguing option is Stephanie Vaquer, who would make sense for a variety of reasons, especially with the winner earning a world title match at Clash in Paris. The long shot choice is Jaida Parker, who is in position for a bigger role in the NXT women’s division. Nikki clearly had a bigger feud planned with Liv Morgan, and with her sidelined due to injury, it’s possible they could substitute Rhea in that spot.
– Winner: Nikki Bella
Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss vs. Asuka and Kairi Sane vs. Sol Ruca and Zaria vs. Raquel Rodriguez and Roxanne Perez (c) – Women’s Tag Team Titles
We can probably eliminate Ruca and Zaria due to another miscommunication issue. The Kabuki Warriors are in a better position to challenge for the titles coming out of this show. That leaves either the champs or the surprisingly effective duo of Charlotte and Bliss. I like the chemistry between these two, and having them on multiple shows could be what WWE wants. But there is so much to work with for Judgment Day with Rodriguez and Perez as champs, so they’re the choice.
– Winners: Raquel Rodriguez and Roxanne Perez
Bayley vs. Lyra Valkyria vs. Becky Lynch (c) – Triple Threat Match for Women’s Intercontinental Title
I don’t really see a scenario where Lynch loses. I’ve made the argument that she’s doing some of the best work of her career right now, and that includes the legendary run to the WrestleMania 35 main event. Valkyria is coming into her own, and once she snaps on Bayley, that should give her even more of a boost.
– Winner: Becky Lynch
Trish Stratus vs. Tiffany Stratton (c) – WWE Women’s Title
This is the easiest to predict on the show, but it should deliver since Trish usually does when she returns. Stratton vs. Cargill is the play for SummerSlam, so she’s going to earn the win. But a potential Naomi cash-in could factor into the aftermath, which could add a little more suspense.
– Winner: Tiffany Stratton
Rhea Ripley vs. IYO SKY (c) – Women’s World Title
The story is that Rhea has never been able to beat Sky. She has to do it at some point, and what better spot than Evolution? Sky has barely defended her title since retaining it in what is still WWE’s match of the year at WrestleMania 41, and doing Rhea vs. Vaquer at Clash In Paris would be quite the showdown. Mami is back on top.
– Winner: Rhea Ripley
For more of my show reviews, visit the Pro Wrestling Reviews section!
WWE Saturday Night’s Event has arrived. Who wins each of the four matches on the card?
Here are my predictions.
Jimmy Uso vs. Solo Sikoa (c) – United States Title
This was a late edition to the show, but it’s noteworthy since it’s Jimmy’s first opportunity at singles gold in his WWE career. Reminder that he signed with WWE 15 years ago. The match should establish Solo’s new title reign, and the focus then figures to turn to potential interference and post-match chaos from JC Mateo, Tonga Loa, Talla Tonga, Jacob Fatu, Jey Uso, or Tama Tonga.
Drew McIntyre vs. Randy Orton
These two are seemingly headed towards a tag team match at SummerSlam, with McIntyre potentially teaming with Logan Paul, and Orton teaming with Jelly Roll. Enter the Ron Burgundy “that escalated quickly” meme here. McIntyre just made his return, and I like the idea of him being the next contender for either Cody Rhodes or John Cena coming out of SummerSlam.
Seth Rollins vs. LA Knight
I know Rollins appears to be the most logical option. He is Mr. Money in the Bank, and WWE is gearing up to make him a top champion once he cashes in. But Knight needs this win. He is 0-3 in the last three Money in the Bank matches, and his record in big time matches in recent years is even more glaring. Rollins can win or lose and still be in line for a world title run. Knight winning would put him in a spot where he could challenge Rollins after he becomes champ. Of course, the biggest question is whether Roman Reigns returns to set up a SummerSlam match with Rollins.
Goldberg vs. Gunther (c) – World Heavyweight Title
Goldberg’s retirement match sets the table for two options. Either he wins the championship and they do the rematch at SummerSlam, or he loses and that’s it. Rollins is a wild card due to the cash-in possibility, which means Goldberg could win and get cashed in so that he doesn’t retire as champion. However, I don’t think Gunther losing to Goldberg is the best path forward for the ‘The Ring General’ after he just won it back from Jey.
For more of my show reviews, visit the Pro Wrestling Reviews section!
WWE NXT Great American Bash 2025 has arrived. Who wins each of the five matches on the card?
Here are my predictions.
Je’Von Evans vs. Jasper Troy
They are putting a lot into Troy, who was the inaugural WWE LFG Season 1 winner. He has already lost matches to Oba Femi and Yoshiki Inamura, so one would think he’s due to earn a big win. However, Evans is seemingly one of the top choices to be next in line for an NXT World Championship opportunity. This is the most unpredictable match on the card for me, but Troy needs the victory more.
Jordynne Grace and Blake Monroe vs. Fatal Influence (Jacy Jayne and Fallon Henley)
Grace is set to challenge Jayne for the NXT Women’s Championship at Evolution on Sunday, and let’s just say I’m confident in my pick for that match. There’s no chance WWE has Monroe take the pin here, and that may prove equally true for Grace and Jayne since either losing to the other would be unproductive the day before a big title showdown. That leaves Henley in the spot to give Grace or Monroe the win.
Izzi Dame vs. Sol Ruca (c) – NXT Women’s North American Title
The road to Ruca vs. Zaria is still on, but the two will team on Sunday at Evolution in the Fatal 4-Way Match for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships. There are a couple of options here: Zaria once again “accidentally” costs Ruca the title and things boil over during the tag team match, or Ruca retains and you still get the miscommunication at Evolution. Dame has huge momentum thanks to her new role in The Culling, and the addition of Tatum Paxley. I could see this being a defining win for Dame, but I’m sticking with Ruca.
Ricky Saints vs. Ethan Page (c) – Falls Count Anywhere Match for the NXT North American Championship
The question is, who is headed to the main roster first? That determines a lot with this result. Both have been rumored to be future members of Seth Rollins’ faction, and I tend to like Saints as the better choice. Since there are no rules in this type of match, there figures to be shenanigans from The Vanity Project, who Saints steamrolled in a Gauntlet Match on this week’s NXT. It seems like Saints is the popular pick, and while I think he’s on Raw or SmackDown after SummerSlam, he has to get his revenge on the dastardly heel champion.
Yoshiki Inamura vs. Oba Femi (c) – NXT Championship
Inamura is a surprise opponent for this spot, but I think he’s earned a shot. The match should more than deliver since these two are very skilled. However, even in an underdog storyline, there may not be a lot of suspense as to who wins. WWE is good at the dramatic near falls, so that’s probably more of the story in this match. And maybe there’s a hint at Femi’s next foe afterward. Once again, ‘The Ruler’ rules in this match.
For more of my show reviews, visit the Pro Wrestling Reviews section!