By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)
WWE Night of Champions
Streamed May 27, 2023 live on Peacock
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia at the Jeddah Super Dome
A video package opened the show… Pyro shot off on the stage and then Michael Cole and Corey Graves checked in on commentary. They turned things over to the Arabic broadcast team for a moment… Entrances for the World Heavyweight Championship match took place. AJ Styles came out first and then a video package aired before Seth Rollins made his entrance…
1. Seth Rollins vs. AJ Styles in the finals of the tournament for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. Ring announcer Mike Rome delivered the introductions from the floor once both men were inside the ring. Rollins played to the crowd, which had chanted his theme loudly. Styles dropkicked Rollins and then clotheslined him to ringside.
The broadcast team played up Rollins being momentarily distracted. Cole played up the possibility that it’s because Rollins has been “off making movies.” Rollins battled back and caught Styles with a kick to the back of the head and then covered him for just a one count.
A short time later, Styles backflipped off the ropes into an inverted DDT that led to a near fall. Rollins battled back and performed a frogsplash for a near fall. Styles rallied with a ushigoroshi for a near fall of his own. Styles set up for a Styles Clash. Rollins avoided it and went for a Pedigree, but Styles escaped and hit him with a step-up enzuigiri.
Styles went to the middle rope and went for a Styles Clash, but Rollins countered into a backdrop. Rollins placed Styles on the top rope and hit him with punches to the back of the head. Styles knocked Rollins off the ropes, but Rollins ran back up and performed an inverted suplex and an inverted slam for a near fall. The camera showed a tight shot of a scrape on Rollins’ back.
Rollins went up top and looked to the crowd. Rollins went for a corkscrew moonsault and then rolled through when Styles avoided it. Rollins stuffed a tornado DDT attempt. Both men fought for suplexes. Styles performed a brainbuster style move on the apron. Styles rolled Rollins back inside the ring.
Styles set up for his finisher, but Rollins shoved him to the floor. Rollins performed a suicide dive and then sold knee pain. Both men beat the referee’s count by returning to the ring. Styles rolled Rollins into a Calf Crusher. Rollins eventually hooked his arm around the neck of Styles, which forced him to release the hold. Rollins stood up and blasted Rollins with a clothesline, which left both men down.
Once they stood up, Styles and Rollins traded strikes. Styles kicked the bad knee. Rollins fired back and then Styles headbutted him. Rollins performed an enzuigiri. Styles went for a Pele Kick that Rollins avoided. Rollins threw a rough looking superkick. Rollins stomped the hand of Styles. Rollins avoided the Styles Clash. Styles put Rollins down with a Pedigree for a good near fall.
Styles went to the apron and hit Rollins with a forearm shot. Styles went for the Phenomenal Forearm, but Rollins superkicked him. Rollins went for the Stomp, but his bad knee buckled. Rollins stuffed Styles’ attempt to roll him into a Calf Crusher. Rollins put Styles down with a Pedigree and then hit the Stomp and scored the pin.
Seth Rollins defeated AJ Styles in 20:40 to win the tournament to become the WWE World Heavyweight Champion.
After the match, Triple H brought the new championship belt into the the ring. Triple H helped Rollins to his feet and then presented him with the championship and raised his arm…
Powell’s POV: A very good match. This was on the high end of Styles matches in recent years. There wasn’t much mystery regarding the outcome because the company heavily foreshadowed a Rollins win, but it was still a strong match from start to finish. I’m surprised they had this match open the show. Hopefully it means they have something big planned for the main event.
An ad aired for the WWE Money in the Bank event for July 1 in London. Yes, another early start in the U.S. (no complaints!)…
Cody Rhodes was shown backstage. Cole said it was confirmed that Cody suffered a broken arm, but he will move forward with his match against Brock Lesnar…
“The Street Profits” Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford were shown sitting in the crowd… A video package recapped the feud between Becky Lynch and Trish Stratus…
Entrances for the match took place. Graves asked Cole if he thanked Stratus lately. At one point, Cole said that when he retires, you’ll never hear from him again…
2. Becky Lynch vs. Trish Stratus. Both wrestlers wore full body gear that covered their arms and legs (Lynch’s appeared to be Kill Bill inspired). Trish had “Thank You Trish” on the back of her gear. Lynch was the early aggressor and ran Stratus into the turnbuckle pads a couple of times and put the boots to her. Stratus headed to ringside. Lynch went for a baseball slide that Stratus avoided. Trish whipped Lynch into the ring steps twice.
Stratus brought Lynch back to the ring and worked her over. Trish stood on the middle rope and played to the crowd, allowing Lynch to punch her. Stratus came right back with a tornado DDT. Lynch’s gear on one of legs rode up, exposing her calf area. Oh, the humanity!
Lynch and Stratus ended up trading strikes in the middle of the ring. Lynch got the better of it and knocked Stratus down with a leaping strike. Lynch worked over Stratus in the corner and then performed a Becksploder suplex. Lynch caught Stratus before she could exit the ring and continued to work her over. Lynch performed a leg drop while Stratus was draped over the middle rope and then covered her for a two count.
Lynch hit the Manhandle Slam and had the pin, but Trish put her foot over the bottom rope to break it. Stratus rolled to the floor and poked her head under the ring. Lynch followed and pulled Stratus out. Lynch threw Stratus back inside the ring and the referee was tripped up in the process. While the referee focused on Stratus, Zoey Stark emerged from underneath the ring and hit her Z360 finisher on Lynch before rolling her back inside the ring. Stratus hit her Stratusfaction Bulldog and scored the pin…
Trish Stratus defeated Becky Lynch in 14:50.
Lynch bled from the nose afterward. Stratus and Stark backed up the ramp together. Stratus took some bows and was all smiles…
Powell’s POV: The match overstayed its welcome with this live crowd. They worked really hard and produced a quality match. I wrote earlier this week that I wanted to see a fangirl type added to Trish’s act if she’s sticking around. Stark isn’t a fangirl character by any means, but I love the idea of giving her a credibility boost by adding her to this feud. I assume that Lynch’s bloody nose came from the Z360, but I’m not entirely sure.
An ad aired for NXT Battleground… A video package spotlighted Mustafa Ali’s time in Saudi Arabia… Entrances for the Intercontinental Championship match took place. Ali wore a keffiyeh to the ring and received a good ovation from the live crowd. Ludwig Kaiser and Giovanni Vinci stood on the stage and Kaiser introduced Gunther, but they did not accompany him to the ring…
3. Gunther vs. Mustafa Ali for the Intercontinental Championship. Cole asked Graves if Ali had any chance to beat Gunther. Graves said any man with two hands has a chance, but it’s unlikely. Ali targeted Gunther’s thigh with some kicks. Gunther put him in a sleeper. Ali escaped and threw two dropkicks. Gunther bodyslammed Ali and then stomped him with a kick.
Gunther knocked Ali down with a big chop. Ali stood up and ate another chop. Ali threw punches, but Gunther slammed him and then put him in a Boston crab and then transitioned into a crossface. Ali set up for a springboard move, but Gunther blasted him with a kick that sent him to the floor. Gunther went to ringside and ran Ali into the ring post. Gunther returned to the middle of the ring and played to the crowd.
Ali fired back with a series of chops and punches. Gunther threw Ali into the corner and charged, but Ali slipped away and caught him with a kick. Ali put Gunther down with a neckbreaker. Ali went up top, but Gunther stood up and chopped him. Gunther went to the middle rope and went for a double underhook suplex, but Ali blocked it and headbutted Gunther multiple times. Ali flipped over Gunther and then sit-out powerbombed him.
Ali went up top again and hit the 450 splash for a good near fall. Gunther came back with a big clothesline that turned Ali inside out. Gunther put Ali down again and then covered him for a near fall. Gunther showed frustration over not getting the pin. Cole assumed that things would only get worse for Ali, while Graves took the “what if?” approach for the underdog.
Gunther stood in the middle of the ring and told Ali that he doesn’t belong. Gunther went for a powerbomb that Ali flipped out of. Ali put Gunther down with a tornado DDT. Ali went for another 450 splash and rolled through when Gunther moved. Gunther dropkicked Ali and then powerbombed him and pinned him…
Gunther defeated Mustafa Ali in 8:35 to retain the Intercontinental Championship.
Powell’s POV: This was absolutely terrific for what it was. The underdog showed great heart while getting some excellent hope spots before the dominant champion put him away clean. I really hope the creative forces can find the right role for the talented Ali.
Kevin Owens was shown seated backstage and was cheered. Sami Zayn sat down next to him and the crowd roared. “Can you believe we’re here?” Zayn asked. He spoke about winning the tag titles at WrestleMania. Zayn said they have to admit that Roman Reigns finds a way to win. Owens got fired up and said that they won the titles from the Usos, who are more of a team than Reigns and Solo Sikoa will ever be. Owens said he’s sick of hearing about Reigns. Owens said he didn’t come to lose the titles and said today is the day that Reigns loses…
LA Knight was shown seated in the crowd. He removed his shades and stood up and looked around at the cheering crowd…
Powell’s POV: Well, at least they didn’t pipe in a bunch of boos like they did on Friday’s Smackdown.
Cole narrated footage of Cody Rhodes and Natalya visiting a children’s hospital. Cole said WWE granted its first Make-A-Wish in Saudi Arabia… A video package set up the Raw Women’s Championship match… Entrances for the match took place…
4. Bianca Belair vs. Asuka for the Raw Women’s Championship. Both wrestlers wore full body gear. Mike Rome delivered in-ring introductions for the title match. Several minutes into the match, Belair suplexed Asuka and then kipped up. Belair speared Asuka in the corner and then stood on the middle rope and played to the crowd before throwing punches at the challenger.
Asuka slipped away and pulled Belair’s braid. Belair came right back with a backbreaker and then performed a handspring into the ropes followed by a standing moonsault for a two count. There was a pocket of fans chanting for Asuka, but most fans were fairly quiet. Asuka took offensive control and threw some kicks to the chest of Belair, who ducked the big finale kick.
Asuka caught Belair with a kick to the gut and then went the ropes, but Belair cut her off. Belair joined Asuka on the ropes and tried to suplex her, but Asuka fought her off and performed a missile dropkick for a near fall. Graves said forget about Arthur or Pennywise, Asuka is the most terrifying clown. Belair escaped a submission hold and put Asuka down with a spinebuster for a two count.
A short time later, Asuka pulled Belair by the braid to ringside and tried to run her into the ring steps, but Belair stopped short and threw Asuka into the steps instead. Both women prevented the other from returning to the ring. They traded punches and then rolled back inside the ring.
Belair hit Asuka in the corner until the referee stepped in. Asuka blew mist over the referee, but Belair avoided it. Asuka ended up catching Belair in an armbar. Belair stood on top of her and got a two count, then powered her up and slammed her to the mat.
Asuka blew mist onto her hand. Belair hoisted up Asuka for her finisher, but Asuka rubbed mist into the eyes of Belair, who then released her. Asuka caught Belair with a kick to the head that put her down on her knees. Asuka threw another kick to the back of Belair’s head and then pinned her…
Asuka defeated Bianca Belair in 15:00 to win the Raw Women’s Championship.
Powell’s POV: I was hoping to see the title change at WrestleMania, so I’m all for it happening here. Belair has been spinning her wheels due to the company’s inability to build up any female heels aside from Rhea Ripley. This gives Asuka a big boost as a heel while also giving Belair’s character a mission in terms of trying to regain her championship. The match was okay. They never really found the next gear and the live crowd seemed more interested in the entrances than the match. At least this crowd liked Belair more than the San Juan crowd did.
Karrion Kross and Scarlett were shown seated in the crowd…
Natalya made her entrance while Cole wished her a happy birthday and said it would be a great gift for her to win the Smackdown Women’s Championship. Natalya stopped and hugged a young female fan along the guardrail and then posed for some selfies at ringside. Rhea Ripley made her entrance with Dominik Mysterio…
Powell’s POV: I’m shocked that Dom’s parole officer allowed him to leave the country!
5. Rhea Ripley (w/Dominik Mysterio) vs. Natalya for the Smackdown Women’s Championship. Mike Rome delivered in-ring introductions for the championship match. Both wrestlers wore full body gear while the referee wore long sleeves underneath her referee shirt.
Dom stood on the apron and told Natalya that she doesn’t stand a chance. The referee called for the bell and then Ripley hit a distracted Natalya from behind. Ripley sent Natalya to the floor and then slammed her head on the Arabic broadcast table a few times. Ripley ran Natalya into two different sets of ring steps before rolling her back inside the ring. Ripley headbutted Natalya and then hit her with the Riptide and scored the pin.
Rhea Ripley defeated Natalya in 1:10 to retain the Smackdown Women’s Championship.
Afterward, Dom jumped into the arms of Ripley and then they taunted Natalya…
Powell’s POV: Quick and painless. The company didn’t put any effort into building up the match, so there was no reason for it to last long. By the way, the women have really upped their full body ring gear game since the early days of wearing baggy t-shirts while in Saudi Arabia.
Seth Rollins was interviewed by Byron Saxton in the backstage area. Rollins cackled and told Saxton to put some stank on his introduction of him as the new World Heavyweight Champion. Saxton delivered the introduction again. Rollins said it felt good and noted that it had been nearly four years since he held world championship gold. Rollins said it felt right.
Saxton asked what the future of Raw looks like with Rollins as champion. Rollins said he would be at Raw on Monday and would be there live on Raw every Monday. Rollins closed by saying he’s a visionary, a revolutionary, and the World Heavyweight Champion…
Powell’s POV: I assume that Rollins stating that he’ll be on Raw this Monday and every Monday means he has completed filming of his role in the Marvel movie.
A video package recapped the Brock Lesnar and Cody Rhodes feud… Brock Lesnar made his entrance first. Cody Rhodes came out with a black cast on his left arm and held it at his side during the “Woah Oh” portion of his entrance theme. Cole said he spoke to the medical staff who said Cody broke his lower forearm. He said Cody’s cast was made of titanium…
6. Brock Lesnar vs. Cody Rhodes. Lesnar was all smiles as Cody stood on the apron and removed his jacket and then entered the ring. Lesnar continued to smile as he lunged at Cody, who moved away. Brock lunged at Cody again. Cody rolled under the ropes and motioned for Lesnar to follow him. “Do you want to fight?” Cody asked. Lesnar followed to the floor.
Cody returned to the ring and attacked Lesnar once he followed. Lesnar caught Rhodes in the corner and drove his shoulder into his gut. Lesnar performed a pair of belly-to-belly suplexes. Cole played up Cody landing on his injured arm while taking the first suplex. Lesnar performed a third belly-to-belly suplex while a “Suplex City” chant broke out.
Cody got up and bashed Lesnar with his cast a few times. Lesnar was dazed and then Cody ran the ropes and crashed into Lesnar, who tumbled to the floor. Cody performed a suicide dive. Rhodes climbed onto the broadcast table and then jumped off and hit Lesnar with his cast.
Lesnar rolled back inside the ring. Cody went up top and then jumped off and hit Lesnar with the cast before covering him for a two count. Rhodes hit a Disaster Kick and then followed up with a Cody Cutter for a near fall. Cole questioned whether Lesnar made a strategic error when he broke Cody’s arm because it gave Rhodes a weapon.
Cody hit CrossRhodes, but he came up selling his injured arm. Cody stood up and barked at Lesnar to get up. Cody hit him with CrossRhodes again and once again sold his arm. Cody stood up and yelled at Lesnar again while Cole spoke about Cody’s pain tolerance.
Cody set up for CrossRhodes again, but Lesnar took him down and put the bad arm in a Kimura Lock. Graves said Lesnar would end Cody’s career and called for the match to be stopped. Cody yelled no when the referee asked if he was giving up. Cody rolled onto Lesnar for a two count in a callback to the previous match. Cody tried to roll on Rhodes again, Lesnar rolled through and maintained the hold. Cody sold it like he had passed out, but he came to life when the referee checked his arm.
A “let’s go Cody” chant broke out. Cody finally reached the ropes to break the hold. Lesnar hoisted up Cody for an F5, but Rhodes countered into a CrossRhodes for a good near fall. Cody used his good hand to grab Lesnar’s wrist and then bashed him with the cast a few times. Lesnar regrouped and hit an F5. Lesnar covered Rhodes for another good near fall.
Cole said Lesnar could be heard yelling “What” when Cody kicked out. Lesnar applied the Kimura on the bad arm again. Cody reached for the ropes, but he was too far away. The referee checked on Cody and then called for the bell to end the match. Lesnar held the hold after the bell for a few seconds.
Brock Lesnar defeated Cody Rhodes in 9:40.
Cole said Cody never tapped out, he passed out, and called it one of the gutsiest performances he’d seen. Lesnar stood in the middle of the ring and held up his arms. Cody laid under the bottom rope and sold his arm injury and then rolled to the floor and continued to hold his bad arm. Lesnar headed toward the back and then stopped and looked back at Rhodes before heading to the back. “We need a doctor out here,” Graves said…
Powell’s POV: Awesome match. The titanium cast story helped make it seem like Cody had a chance. More importantly, Cody’s character put up a hell of a fight and showed toughness before he passed out. This was really well done and obviously creates the need for an eventual rubber match. The broadcast team deserves an assist for the way they helped tell the story. Cole and Graves have been great together on the recent PLEs.
Cole touted Jeddah for a moment while the graphic of the falcon was shown… Cole hyped the four-way match for the vacant WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles that will take place on Raw. A Ronda Rousey video package was shown…
Omos was shown seated in the crowd. He stood up and put his hand over the camera…
The broadcast team hyped the Money in the Bank qualifying matches for Raw and Smackdown. They also touted the 1,000 days as champion celebration for Roman Reigns. Cole noted that Reigns officially reached 1,000 days as champion today… A video package set up the main event…
Roman Reigns, Solo Sikoa, and Paul Heyman made their entrance. Cole noted that Jimmy Uso and Jey Uso did not accompany them. Cole said Jimmy committed “blasphemy in Roman Reigns’ world” by referring to himself as the Tribal Chief on Smackdown. He also recalled Reigns dedicating this match to Afa and Sika. Graves spoke about the Samoan Swat Team and how they were led to the ring by a young Paul Heyman. Fans opposite the hard camera held up sponsored signs that celebrated 1,000 days for Reigns. Cole said Reigns had not been pinned or submitted since December 2019.
Kevin Owens made his entrance to a good ovation and stopped on the stage. Sami Zayn came out to a big pop wearing white ihram attire. Cole noted that Zayn was performing in front of family and friends. Zayn stood on the second rope once he made it to the ring and held his arms up for another big ovation. Reigns smiled while watching from the corner
Mike Rome tried to deliver in-ring introductions for the main event. Heyman took the mic and introduced himself while the crowd said his name along with him. Heyman said he was introducing the soon to be tag team champions. Heyman called Sikoa the “sultan of the spike” and simply called him “Solo” while leaving out his last name. Heyman acknowledged the 1,000th day of Roman’s reign while introducing him. The referee stood between the teams after Reigns jabbed Zayn with one of his belts.
Rome tried to introduce the champions, but Zayn took the mic and spoke in Arabic while introducing Owens and himself. A loud “Sami” chant broke out. Graves said Zayn did a much better job than Rome would have. Cole said Zayn wanted to ruin Roman’s 1,000th day as champion. He also noted that the top 15 hashtags on Twitter all pertained to Night of Champions…
7. Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn vs. Roman Reigns and Solo Sikoa (w/Paul Heyman) for the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Titles. Reigns and Owens were in the ring to start. A big “Ole” singalong occurred. Zayn held out his hand and Owens tagged him in without ever locking up with Reigns, who flashed a cocky look at Zayn tagging in. A “Sami Zayn” chant broke out, which Reigns acknowledged by looking irritated. Reigns tagged out and then ducked to ringside and barked that he never should have let Zayn in.
Zayn and Solo locked up three minutes after the bell rang. Solo tossed Zayn to the mat. Zayn got the better of Solo with an elbow off the ropes, but Solo came right back by knocking Zayn down. Reigns waved at Zayn, who tagged in Owens. Solo and Owens traded punches. Owens ran the ropes and was knocked down by an uppercut from Solo, whom Cole listed by his full name for the first time since the match started.
Zayn tagged in and took Solo down with a drop toe hold and then Owens pounced on Sikoa. Reigns distracted Zayn, allowing Solo to hit Zayn from behind. Solo choked Zayn using the middle rope. When the referee backed Solo away, Reigns choked Zayn from the floor. Solo slammed Zayn and then ran the ropes and dropped a headbutt on him. With Zayn down, Reigns tagged back in.
Reigns put the boots to Zayn and choked him over the bottom rope. When referee Dan Engler scolded him, Reigns teased backhanding him. Zayn got back to his feet and threw punch and a chop, which Reigns no-sold. Reigns put Zayn down with an uppercut. “What do you think, you’re the Nature Boy now?” Reigns asked Zayn. Funny.
Reigns and Sikoa isolated Zayn for a stretch. Zayn got the better of Reigns at ringside. Solo followed and had his head slammed into one of the broadcast tables. Zayn returned to the ring and crawled toward his corner, but Solo cut him off before he could tag out. Sikoa followed up by superkicking Owens, who fell off the ring apron. Solo placed Zayn in a seated position on the top rope. Zayn fired back with kicks and then executed a tornado DDT. Zayn reached to his corner and then Owens climbed back onto the apron.
Owens took a hot tag while Reigns also tagged in. Owens took it to Reigns with punches and then kicks. Reigns rolled to the floor. Owens followed and clotheslined Reigns before performing a senton. Back in the ring, Owens ducked a punch and then superkicked Owens. Sikoa climbed onto the apron and was knocked down by Owens, which gave Reigns the opening to clothesline Owens. The crowd booed. Reigns played to the boos by holding up his index finger.
Owens came right back with a Popup Powerbomb for a good near fall. Owens went up top and frog splashed Reigns for another near fall. The camera cut to Heyman, who looked concerned. Owens waited for Reigns to get back to his feet and kicked him. Owens went for a Stunner, but Reigns shoved him off and then Sikoa hit Owens from the apron. Reigns put Owens down with a Superman Punch and covered him for a near fall.
Reigns jawed at Owens and then went to a corner and let out the war cry. Reigns went to charge Owens, who caught him with a kick and a Stunner. Reigns bounced off the ropes and then speared Owens. Both men stayed down. Zayn stood on the apron and begged for a tag, which he received while Reigns also tagged out.
Zayn got the better of Solo and sent him to the floor. Zayn performed a flip dive over the top rope onto Sikoa. Zayn put Solo down with a Blue Thunder Bomb for a two count. Cole questioned which team benefitted the deeper the match goes. Graves made a case for three wrestlers while noting that Sikoa hadn’t been in that position before. Zayn put Solo down, but Reigns broke up the pin. Cole pointed out that Reigns wasn’t the legal man.
Reigns tried to spear Zayn, who moved, causing the referee to take the spear. REF BUMP!!! Reigns surveyed the damage while Cole said referee Engler might be out cold. Zayn did Roman’s locked and loaded routine in the corner and then hit Reigns with a Superman Punch. Zayn let out a war cry in the corner and charged, but Reigns dropped him with a Superman Punch.
Reigns talked shit over Zayn. Owens ran in and speared Reigns. Owens and Reigns ended up at ringside where Owens slammed Roman’s head off the Arabic broadcast table. Owens cleared both broadcast tables and set up Reigns for a move.
Jimmy Uso and Jey Uso hopped the barricade and attacked Owens. They put the English broadcast table over Owens and left him on the floor. The Usos entered the ring and both men superkicked Zayn. The Usos went for a double superkicked, but Zayn avoided it and they accidentally double superkicked Sikoa. Roman saw it from ringside.
Reigns entered the ring and pie-faced Jimmy. Jey tried to talk to Roman. Reigns told him there’s no Day 1 no more. Reigns told Jey to get out of his ring. Jimmy superkicked Reigns. Heyman looked horrified. Jey asked Jimmy what he did. Jey approached Reigns, but Jimmy stopped him and said he was going to do what he should have a long time ago. Jimmy superkicked a kneeling Reigns, who tumbled out of the ring.
Jimmy asked Jey what he was going to do. “I’m your brother,” Jimmy said twice. Jey walked toward the ropes to Reigns, but Jimmy stopped him. Jimmy and Jey left the ring. Jimmy told a confused Jey that they had to go.
Sikoa got back to his feet. Owens returned to the ring and kicked Sikoa before dropping him with a Stunner. Zayn followed up with a Helluva Kick and went for the cover, but there was no referee. A second referee ran in and made the three count.
Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn defeated Roman Reigns and Solo Sikoa in 26:25 to retain the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship.
The Usos were shown watching from the stage. Jey continued to look distraught over what happened. Cole questioned whether The Bloodline had finally imploded. Reigns was shown looking upset at ringside while Owens and Zayn celebrated their win inside the ring.
Reigns was shown seated on the floor. He looked up and spotted Zayn, who was standing on the middle rope, holding up both of his title belts, and jawing at Reigns. “Roman, you can’t have ’em,” Zayn eventually said as Reigns made his way toward the entrance ramp with Heyman and Sikoa…
A video package recapped the highlights of the event…
Powell’s POV: A very good main event complete with the major storyline development of Jimmy finally snapping on Reigns. In typical Bloodline fashion, they didn’t give away everything in one night, as Jey looked very conflicted, so they still have that situation to resolve. Everyone involved played their parts extremely well and this makes Roman’s 1,000 Day Celebration on Smackdown feel like must see television.
Overall, this was a very good show. The crowd was flat during the two longer women’s matches, but the Saudi fans were very energetic otherwise and created a good atmosphere. The show was newsworthy with the Raw Women’s Title change and the big Bloodline development. I will have a lot more to say when Jake Barnett and I team up for our WWE Night of Champions audio review, which will be available ad-free for Dot Net Members (including our Patreon patrons), while also being available as this week’s Pro Wrestling Boom podcast.
Make ProWrestling.net your home for live reviews of AEW Double Or Nothing and NXT Battleground on Sunday night.
Seth / AJ was a really good match but it felt hollow to me. Too bad because those guys are prob the best two wrestlers of the past decade
For the love of God why don’t they turn LAK face and have him beat theory like tomorrow??
Long shot, but I’m hoping that they are trying to manufacture some fan frustration to make him feel like a people’s champion (not that one) once they finally start pushing him. He’s an interesting character in that I could see him winning MITB, but I could also see him losing the qualifying match next week.
LA Knight and Theory could potentially be a good feud.
Gunther is a master of working a big man vs small man match.
He’s gotten excellent stuff out of Richochet and Mustafa on the main roster and his NXT/NXT UK matches with Dragunov were great.
Why is Sami wrestling in Saudi Arabia this year when he was prevented from doing in previous years because of “cultural” issues?
Asuka should use her gear today as her regular look.
Cody and Brock put on a better match with the arm gimmick than I expected.
I must be in a poor mood because I really did not enjoy the Brock Cody match at all. I think TGO may have mention this before but Brock is at the place now where a lot of the fans are gonna cheer him no matter what
I don’t know…THREE women’s matches in a crowd that appears to be 99% male in a country that doesn’t respect women’s rights. A bit much? The crowd didn’t seem to be into those matches very much. Sad to say for sure…but true.
What a surprise pg13Icon doesn’t like something? I don’t know who’s worse him or the greatestone
Now Sammy that’s a little unfair. I like a lot of stuff…
I enjoy NXT almost every week
I love KO and Sami
I think Gunther is a legit bad ass (I even liked Cory’s comparison to Bruno)
As noted above I really enjoy LA knight and would love to see him get a legit push
Seth Rollins current character is sensational.
I could go on
But I’m not going to rubber stamp everything. While the bloodline has been a great story it’s dragged and needs a conclusion soon
Cody was red hot at WM and since he has cooled considerably. This feud with Brock may not help him
Cena did Theory zero favors
It’s a mixed bag. More good than bad. But the point of being in this message board is to critique (not trash everything and not foam at the mouth in love of everything either)
I’ll back this. I think you’re balanced and you gave good examples.
Passing out to the kimura is so phony. There’s a dozen submissions brock can do that would make sense for him to pass out to. Either Cody breaks out or his arm comes off like wtf
Stone cold passing out to the sharpshooter was phony too. It’s all phony. No one cares.
Main event was red hot and the crowd really added to it
William, Sami wrestled there this year because apparently relations between Saudi Arabia and Syria have changed and talks between the 2 nations have begun over shared interests. I don’t know any further details cause I don’t really follow Mid East politics all that closely but I do recall hearing that there’s been some sort of thawing between the relationships of the 2 nations.
Very interested to see what happens next with Jimmy and Roman and if Jey takes his brother’s side or Roman’s.
I came out of this PPV loving Zoey Stark’s alignment with Trish the most because I wanted Zoey to be aligned with Trish as one of her main henchmen. I think they should add another henchman to a new heel faction soon. I think a Trish faction will be better than Damage CTRL.
I love it that Asuka won as well as we finally got a more exciting Raw Champion now.
I think the elders need to show up at the 1000 day celebration. Roman will think they are there to celebrate but they are there to punish roman for dedicating the match to them!!!!
Lmao Reigns is still the Champ?! E has gotten so boring!