The big story coming into this show was all about who wouldn't be appearing after a reported Covid-19 outbreak at the Performance Center. So, despite being advertised to compete and challenge for championships, Nikki Cross and Nia Jax would have to sit this one out.
Anyway, the show started with a video package narrated by John Cena hyping up tonight's events before we headed to the Thunderdome for our opening contest - the Intercontinental Championship triple threat ladder match: AJ Styles vs. Sami Zayn vs. Jeff Hardy. This was one of the matches I was looking forward to most as these three guys are all known for their risk-taking and high-flying. The storyline coming into this match was that Jeff Hardy is the rightful Intercontinental Champion because Zayn, who never lost the belt, had to relinquish it when he took a 5-month hiatus due to the coronavirus (which is never mentioned). Styles, meanwhile, is the number one contender to the title and had been chasing Hardy for it for quite awhile. This match was spoiled a bit by the three already wrestling on SmackDown just 2 days earlier, but they spiced it up by utilizing the ladders basically right from the start. Some of the highlights included Jeff Hardy splashing belly-first into the supports of an open ladder after an AJ dodge, Sami Zayn taking a great bump into a ladder in the corner, and AJ taking an Exploder Suplex into some steel, AJ sending a ladder into Zayn like a javelin, and Hardy dropping onto Zayn with a swanton bomb off a ladder through another ladder on the floor. The first half was built more around signature offense than ladder-based chaos, but the second half saw all three men taking some insane bumps in front of a virtual, non-paying audience. Kudos to them for not half-assing it - this match was as physical as any ladder match I've seen recently. Towards the end, Sami Zayn inserted a handcuff into Hardy's earlobe and attached to the other side to a ladder - one of the most bizarre things I think I've ever seen in a wrestling match. Zayn tried to handcuff Styles to the bottom rope, but AJ fought back, eventually catching Sami with a snap suplex. When AJ got up, though, Zayn had handcuffed him to himself, though! Meanwhile, outside the ring, Hardy remained attached to a ladder and had to slide into the ring with it attached to his face. On the ladder, Zayn busted out a key and unlocked himself, attaching the other cuff to the ladder so that AJ could not reach the titles. Wow, that was a unique finish and the right man won. I wouldn't call this a must-see match, but I enjoyed it. (3.5/5)
Before the next bout, we got an extended skit involving R-Truth that led to Drew Gulak winning the 24/7 Championship. Ugh.
Zelina Vega then made her way down the aisle to take on Asuka for the RAW Women's Championship. Vega's an experienced grappler but still came in as a massive underdog against Asuka and looked a bit out of her league here. There was some telegraphing, some awkward transitions, some weak-looking offense, the camera even catching some in-ring discussion between the competitors - Vega just did not come across as a legit challenger and Asuka seemed oddly unprepared and completely unable to save this match. The fact that this match went over 5 minutes was also a mistake in hindsight. This was probably the worst Asuka match I've seen, but I'm going to chalk that up to the lack of chemistry and Vega being thrust into a match after, to my knowledge, not working regularly for years. Even the post-match attack by Vega was poorly executed and predictable. (1/5)
Apollo Crews challenged Bobby Lashley for his United States Championship next. The best part of this match might've been MVP's managing on the outside. For all his athletic gifts, Crews remains a guy that I always find bland. Lashley, meanwhile, is a destroyer that comes across as unable to destroy anybody, a monster that goes 50/50 with every challenger he faces. There were some good sequences but nothing that really grabbed me, mostly because, in terms of character and story, I'm indifferent to this entire storyline. Lashley eventually got the win with his full nelson submission and I hope that signaled the end of this rivalry as it seems like its been going on for half a year now. (2/5)
The RAW Tag Team Titles were on the line next - The Street Profits defending the gold against Andrade and Garza. Cole noted that the Profits are the longest reigning RAW Tag Team Champions ever, but it just kinda reminds me of how little competition they've had. A decent match, but the big story coming out of it was an injury to Angel Garza as it looked like he tweaked his knee and they had to improvise a finish. After Dawkins hit Andrade with a spinebuster, the ref made a 3 count (despite Andrade clearly kicking out after 2) and nobody looked happy. Another underwhelming bout. (2/5)
After a lengthy commercial break, Bayley made her way down the aisle to defend her SmackDown Women's Championship. Her opponent, Nikki Cross, was not medically cleared (due to Coronovirus exposure), and instead we got Asuka! Asuka controlled early, but Bayley was able to regain her composure. Moments later, on the outside of the ring, Bayley got herself disqualified by attacking Asuka with a chair. In a shocking moment, though, Sasha Banks showed up and nailed Bayley with a chair shot straight to the back (that also seemed to clip her on the back of the head too). Banks, sporting a neck brace, continued to beatdown Bayley, but the SmackDown Women's Champion kicked her off and grabbed some weaponry of her own. When Bayley cornered her, Banks fought back, though, taking hold of a kendo stick and putting it to use on the champ. Sasha attempted to bash her with a chair, but Bayley rolled out of the ring and escaped with her title, crawling to the back. This was more of a "segment" than a match, but it was fine for what it was. (2.5/5)
The show slogged on with another lengthy video package hyping the WWE Championship match - Drew McIntyre defending the gold against Randy Orton in an Ambulance Match. Orton and McIntyre wasted no time busting out some of their signature moves, including the hanging DDT from the Viper to take control. As Orton got ready to kick McIntyre in the skull, though, the Big Show shockingly appeared and chokeslammed him through an announce table! In an Ambulance Match there's no disqualification so the ref didn't call for the bell and the match continued, McIntyre now in the driver's seat. Drew sent Orton into the barricade, steps, and eventually the back door of the ambulance before grabbing some weapons out of the vehicle, including a bright red steel chair. As Drew wound up to strike again, Orton caught him with a crutch to the midsection and then drove the chair into Drew's (kayfabe) broken jaw. Orton and Drew ended up inside the ambulance, brawling it out, but neither man was incapacitated and the doors never shut. In a great spot, McIntyre caught Randy with a nasty headbutt and then attempted to Claymore him into the ambulance's side door, but Orton dodged it and the door flew off the hinges! To the back they went, but now it was Christian who showed up to attack the Viper, Captain Charisma sending him crashing into a catering table. I'm not sure how this necessarily helped McIntyre's credibility as he struggled to put away Orton despite interference from TWO former World Champions, but Orton is so despicable that I never felt any real sympathy for him (and I doubt anyone else did). Back towards the ambulance they went, McIntyre sending him onto the hood of the vehicle. As Drew sought to inflict more punishment, Orton dug his fingers into Drew's eye and then sent him backfirst into the windshield. McIntyre and Orton then made their way up to the very top of the ambulance, McIntyre's lower back and side shredded from the windshield glass. McIntyre spilled off the ambulance and the camera didn't even bother catching what would've been such a weak spot. As Orton turned to climb down the ambulance, though, Shawn Michaels hit him with a Superkick that knocked him off the ambulance and through an unseen crash pad below! That would've been a great spot if we'd actually seen him go through a table or something. Back on the floor, McIntyre looked to dump Orton into the ambulance, but got RKO'd instead. Orton was able to lift Drew into the ambulance, but as he looked to close the second door, McIntyre got his hands out to stop him and raked Orton right in the eye. McIntyre then connected with a vicious Claymore straight to the face and dumped Orton into the ambulance, but instead of taking the guaranteed victory, Drew hit him with a punt of his own to finish him off for good. Good-not-great match with some fun cameos (including Ric Flair during the post-match) and even a little bit of blood. (3/5)
After a commercial for the latest WWE videogame, it was time for our main event - Roman Reigns defending the Universal Championship against his cousin Jey Uso. The build-up for this match was strong, though the finish was never really in question as Uso came in as a huge underdog. Reigns sported a new look here - being shirtless - and looked impressive. Speaking of impressive, Reigns was a terrific heel here, dominating his cousin and talking trash while doing it. I also loved his jawing with Charles Robinson, Roman doing the little things to get this new persona over. After getting in a hope spot with a Samoan Drop, Jey Uso attempted a splash in the corner but got Superman Punched on his way, forcing the challenger to retreat to the floor. Reigns continued to wear down the challenger and got even more dramatic with his verbal messages to Jey, the action broken up by comments about how Jey should've just "taken the pay day" instead of actually trying to compete. Uso rallied a bit, dodging a spear that sent Roman into the post. I've grown to loathe that spot. Jey then hit a clothesline that sent Reigns to the floor and then hit him with a huge plancha and then, moments later, another one! Uso rolled Reigns into the ring and then delivered a crossbody for 2, followed by a superkick to the chin for another nearfall. Jey went back to the top rope but wisely rolled through whatever he was going to attempt only to eat a flying leg drop from Reigns (a move I'm not sure he's busted out too often before). Back in control, Reigns attempted a spear but Uso countered it into a pinning combo for 2 and then hit a huge superkick and a splash for 2.8 count! In a brilliant bit of sneaky fuckery, as Reigns kicked out, he caught Uso right in the junk. This allowed Reigns to then connect with a devastating spear that could've and would've given him the victory. Rather than make the cover, though, Reigns demanded that Jey call him "chief" and acknowledge his supremacy. Rather than say those words, Uso fought on only to eat a second spear. Reigns than lifted up Uso's head and showed him "[his] camera," asking again for Jey to "acknowledge him." Heyman tried to calm Reigns down, but Roman refused to accept Paul's acknowledgement and then beat down Jey some more before threatening Charles Robinson. This was just a brutalizing by this point, Robinson pleading for Jey Uso to throw in the towel. At this point, Jimmy Uso showed up with a white towel and told his twin he was going to throw it in for him as Jey begged him not to. Reigns then leveled him with even more shots, hitting him with a barrage of punches and forearms until Jimmy threw in the towel and the match was called. Jimmy then "acknowledged" his cousin, calling him the Tribal Chief. In an extra bit of heelishness, Heyman then adorned Reigns with the lei that Jey had worn down to the ring. Some of the acting was really hammy and the match itself was really just a prolonged beatdown, but the drama, story, and character work out of Reigns made this special and engaging. Definitely not anything like a Match of the Year candidate, but I'm excited to see where this version of Reigns goes. (3/5)
As a whole, this show underwhelmed me. I enjoyed SummerSlam a good bit and even found Payback to be a decent show thanks to some solid matches in Big E/Sheamus, the Mysterios/Rollins & Murphy tag, and Keith Lee/Orton. This show felt too long, too loaded with commercials, and had too much filler. Its understandable that they had to fill time with the Women's Tag Match and the advertised SmackDown Women's Championship matches pulled, but to fill in that time with lengthy stretches of advertisements slowed the show down and kept it from ever picking up steam. The Vega/Asuka bout was one of the worst I've seen on a major WWE show this year, which is a shame because I enjoy both performers. The chemistry just wasn't there. The best match of the show was the opener, which is unfortunate because it made everything that came after feel a bit like a let down. McIntyre/Orton was the "funnest" match they've had and I give them credit for balancing cartoonish hijinks with actual violence. The main event was interesting but could not be classified as a "great match." Like his non-performance at Payback, Roman Reigns is now letting the character dictate the story of his matches and, for now at least, that means we're getting "angles" more than athletic contests. I'm okay with that, but tonight's main event tip-toed on the line between engaging and comically overdramatic (at one point even Jey Uso looked like he was going to burst out laughing). With a Kwang Score of 2.43- out-of-5, I'm giving this one a....
FINAL RATING - High Risk Maneuver
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