John Cena Starts the Show, The LWO VS The Street Profits
John Cena kicked off the show to a nice ovation before John talked about all the things he’s done since returning to WWE earlier in the month. Cena then said that he’s now angry and wants to fight and the fight he wants is with The Bloodline. The 16-time World Champion then said he’s not going to fight alone because he’s got a “Phenomenal partner” before AJ Styles arrived and agreed to Cena’s request. Jimmy Uso and Solo Sikoa then made their way down to the ring, but they then walked straight back up the ramp as a sign that they weren’t interested in having a match. This was an interesting start to the show, but it also felt slightly anticlimactic. Still, it was nice to see John Cena and AJ Styles in the same ring together.
Grade: C+
John Cena and AJ Styles were asking Adam Pearce backstage to make a match between them and The Bloodline, but Adam Pearce said he couldn’t because he needs Paul Heyman’s authorisation. This was yet more proof that Pearce is useless. It was then time for the first match of the night as The LWO’s Rey Mysterio and Santos Escobar took on The Street Profits as Zelina Vega and Bobby Lashley watched on. This was a pretty decent match that allowed Santos Escobar to showcase his immense talent. Whilst the match was pretty even, The Street Profits should’ve picked up the win after Bobby Lashley took out Rey Mysterio. However, Angelo Dawkins hesitated and this allowed the United States Champion to roll Dawkins up to get the victory. The LWO celebrated as Bobby Lashley stormed off in a bad mood.
Grade: C+
WWE Women’s Championship: Iyo Sky VS Asuka, Austin Theory and Grayson Waller VS The Brawling Brutes
We got a recap video of The Rock’s shock return to WWE last week before Austin Theory stormed over the barricade and started berating Michael Cole to the point where officials had to pull him to the back. I would assume this is going somewhere, but where I don’t know. We then saw The Brawling Brutes taking the mick out of Theory backstage before Grayson Waller came over to back him up, leading to Adam Pearce creating a Tag Team match. Bobby Lashley then berated The Street Profits backstage and demanded that all his fancy suits be returned unless they sort themselves out. We then got a really cool video package for Asuka and Iyo Sky before it was time for The Genius of the Sky to put her WWE Women’s Championship on the line against The Empress of Tomorrow. Both Iyo and Asuka are top-tier wrestlers and are definitely two of the best female wrestlers in the world and they showed that here with a good and entertaining contest. The amount of submissions that Asuka locked in on Sky was insane, but the most dangerous one of them all saw Bayley put her Damage CTRL’s partner's foot on the rope to potentially save her Championship reign. Charlotte Flair, who was watching from ringside, laid out Bayley, but this distracted Asuka as Iyo Sky took her out before she delivered Over the Moonsault to get the big victory. Whatever happens, WWE cannot let Charlotte Flair beat Iyo Sky for the WWE Women’s Title.
Grade: B-
Adam Pearce came into The Bloodline’s locker room as Pearce announced that Jimmy Uso and Solo Sikoa will face the team of John Cena and AJ Styles at Summerslam. Jimmy seemed delighted by this and whilst Paul Heyman seemed concerned over the fact that Roman Reigns hadn’t authorised this, Solo told The Wiseman that after tonight, they’ll be no one left to face them at Fastlane. We then got a brilliant video where Kit Wilson was trying to help Elton Prince build some strength back up in his leg despite Elton currently being out with a Dislocated Shoulder. Pretty Deadly are just amazing and the fact that this skit took place in the NXT Trainers’ Room made it even better. Austin Theory and Grayson Waller then looked to go 2-0 as a Tag Team when they took on The Brawling Brutes’ Butch and Ridge Holland. I still struggle to enjoy matches with The Brawling Brutes in them, but this was slightly better because Austin Theory and Grayson Waller are both great. Also, Theory and Waller work really well together and despite The Brutes looking in control of the contest, The Arrogant Aussie nailed Ridge Holland with the roll-in Stunner before Theory hit the A-Town Down to get the victory. A-Town Down Under are now 2-0 as a Tag Team and I’m all for it!
Grade: C+
Fastlane Contract Signing
John Cena ran down to the ring and signed the contract for Fastlane which will see John Cena and AJ Styles team up to take on Jimmy Uso and Solo Sikoa. However, we then cut to the back to see Jimmy Uso beating up AJ Styles before Solo Sikoa jumped off a platform and went crashing onto AJ with the Flying Solo. We then saw AJ Styles get stretchered off in an Ambulance as John Cena watched on before Jimmy Uso and Solo Sikoa as well as Paul Heyman made their way down to the ring. Heyman tried to talk before Jimmy took over and started acting like he’s now the leader of The Bloodline. John Cena then ran down to the ring, but that was a mistake as he got battered by Sikoa who hit 2 Samoan Spike’s on The Face that Runs the Place before Jimmy Uso delivered two Uso Splashes for good measure. Jimmy and Solo then signed the Fastlane contract as a sign that they still want the match to take place. Overall, this was much better than the opening segment of the show. AJ Styles getting taken out took me by surprise whilst it was cool to see Solo and Jimmy stand over John Cena even if Jimmy shouldn’t be involved with The Bloodline. Whilst this isn’t related, it would’ve been cool to see The Judgment Day do that to Mustafa Ali, but there you go.
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