Paul Heyman informs Jey Uso, Santos Escobar VS Mustafa Ali: Money in the Bank Qualifying Match
Before Paul Heyman could say anything, The Usos’ music hit and Jey Uso made his way down to the ring. Paul Heyman told Jey Uso that it was his twin brother Jimmy’s fault that the Usos will no longer be a thing on WWE Television going forward. Paul then told the Right Hand Man that Jimmy wasn’t happy with the fact that Roman wants Jey to be the “new Tribal Chief” eventually before he offered Main Event Jey Uso the opportunity to fight Austin Theory for the United States Championship in tonight’s main event. Jey was more than happy to take the Wiseman up on that offer, but he wouldn’t shake Paul’s hand when Heyman offered it. This was a solid way to start the show and another obvious bit of manipulation by both Paul and Roman Reigns.
Grade: C+
The first match of the night saw Santos Escobar battle Mustafa Ali in a Money in the Bank Qualifying match. This had been a dream match of mine for a while, but it did start off pretty slow. However, once the match got going, it was pretty fun as both men showcased their immense speed and athleticism. There were hurricanranas, mid-air dropkicks and other crazy spots, but in the end, Santos Escobar picked up the win with a top rope Phantom Driver which looked awesome. LA Knight was also on commentary which is always enjoyable.
Grade: B-
Ronda Rousey and Shayna Baszler challenge Alba Fyre and Isla Dawn, Bayley VS “Michin” Mia Yim: Money in the Bank Qualifying Match, Asuka receives a new title
Sami Zayn caught up with Jey Uso backstage and told his former friend to “follow his heart instead of what’s being put in his ear”. I know he was talking about the Bloodline, but Jey could also take his advice by not listening to the former Honorary Uce. Kayla Braxton was then in the ring as she welcomed out the NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions Alba Fyre and Isla Dawn. However, Fyre and Dawn didn’t get much in because they were interrupted by the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Ronda Rousey and Shayna Baszler. Shayna and Ronda made it clear that they want the NXT Women’s Tag Team Championships too and the Unholy Union gladly accepted. The two teams then brawled before Alba and Isla stood tall. This was a fine segment, but the NXT Women’s Tag Team Championships going away sucks because they always felt like a massive deal on NXT.
Grade: C+
It was then time for the first of two Women’s Money in the Bank Qualifying matches as Bayley (accompanied by Iyo Sky) took on “Michin” Mia Yim (accompanied by AJ Styles). AJ Styles watched on from commentary as Bayley mocked him before she pulled Michin’s hair. This allowed the Role Model to hit the Rose Plant to get the victory and advance to Money in the Bank. After the match, Scarlett arrived and blew red mist (of some sort) into AJ’s eyes before Karrion Kross locked in the Kross Jacket from behind. There was nothing of note in this match, but I did like Bayley mocking Styles and Karrion Kross standing tall is always a good thing.
Grade: C+
Bianca Belair spoke to Adam Pearce backstage and she clearly wanted to fight Asuka. However, the EST of WWE agreed to not attack the Empress of Tomorrow tonight after Adam Pearce told her that she would be getting a rematch for her Championship soon. Adam Pearce was then in the ring after the commercial break as he welcomed the Raw Women’s Champion down to the ring. However, Asuka is no longer the Raw Women’s Champion because Pearce gave her the brand new “WWE Women’s Championship” (it looks almost identical to Roman’s title except the strap is a different colour). Charlotte Flair’s music then hit from out of nowhere as the former 14-time World Champion made her first appearance since WrestleMania 39. Charlotte ignored Adam Pearce’s request to wait in line for a title shot by just challenging Asuka which the Empress happily accepted. Asuka then failed when she tried to get Flair with the mist which allowed Charlotte to deliver a Big Boot to send the champion reeling. I’m not a big fan of the look of the new title, but I do always enjoy watching Charlotte and Asuka go at it. As long as Asuka wins.
Grade: C+
Money in the Bank Qualifying Matches: Baron Corbin VS Butch, Iyo Sky VS Shotzi
Jey Uso spoke with Paul Heyman again backstage as Paul told Main Event Jey Uso that he will be travelling on the private jet to Money in the Bank. However, the Right Hand Man told the Wiseman that if he’s in the Bloodline, Paul’s out. Interesting. Adam Pearce returned to his office to talk complete nonsense before Bianca Belair walked in and looked furious with the terrible official. It was then time for another Money in the Bank Qualifying match as the Brawling Brutes’ Butch looked to return home with a victory over Baron Corbin. NXT Champion Carmelo Hayes and Trick Williams watched from ringside and this cost Baron Corbin immensely as the former King of the Ring winner couldn’t stop bad-mouthing the champion. This allowed Butch to pick up the victory with a unique roll-up. After the match, Corbin punched Trick Willy before Carmelo Hayes jumped the barricade. However, officials and referees arrived to stop a brawl from taking place. Once again, there wasn’t much to this match, but I enjoyed the fact that Carmelo Hayes (and Trick Williams) got a good pop from the crowd.
Grade: C+
Bobby Lashley got a video package which was cool before the Brawling Brutes cut a promo about how excited they are to return home at Money in the Bank. Baron Corbin then walked over and wasn’t happy with the outcome before he got thrown into a garage door by Cameron Grimes. I still think Grimes would’ve been a much better choice for the Money in the Bank Ladder Match than Butch. It was then time for the final Money in the Bank Qualifying match of the night as Iyo Sky took on Shotzi. Like most of the matches on this show, it wasn’t given much time and it ended quite abruptly. Shotzi went to the top rope before she was tripped up by Bayley which allowed Iyo to deliver Over the Moonsault to get the victory. Whilst I get the story WWE was trying to tell, former NXT Women’s Champion Iyo Sky does not need help to beat Shotzi and it also made the referee look crap (at least that’s realistic).
Grade: C
United States Championship: Austin Theory VS Jey Uso
Austin Theory cut a promo about how he’s going to send Jey Uso back to the Bloodline without Championship gold. What I liked about this promo was Theory clearly doesn’t like the Bloodline and I love it when stuff like that happens. Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens were then talking in a lockerroom backstage before Pretty Deadly walked up to them and asked for a tag team title shot. The Brawling Brutes, the O.C, the LWO and the Street Profits then all walked in and asked for a shot at the titles before Adam Pearce announced that a Gauntlet Match will take place next week to determine Owens and Zayn’s next challengers. This was a fine segment elevated massively by the brilliance of Kevin Owens. We then got a video for Grayson Waller which is always good before Austin Theory put his United States Championship on the line against Main Event Jey Uso. The in-ring action was solid, but it was the storytelling at the end that proved to be key. The referee got knocked down because of course he did before Jey Uso had the match won with the Uso Splash. However, the referee was down so no one was able to count to 3. Pretty Deadly then arrived to help their new friend Austin Theory before Jimmy Uso arrived to take them out. Solo Sikoa then arrived and beat up his older brother which was quite funny before Jey Uso stopped Solo from delivering a Samoan Spike to Jimmy. However, Jimmy then accidentally Superkicked Jey (whilst trying to hit Solo) which allowed Theory to pick up another big victory as United States Champion. After the match, Jey Uso walked off in a sad manner whilst Paul Heyman smiled whilst talking on the phone to Roman Reigns. More good and interesting storytelling regarding the Bloodline.
Comments