Yes, this is late. No, I don’t care.
IN-RING SEGMENT: CHARLOTTE FLAIR, BECKY LYNCH, & CARMELLA
Some good mic work here. Charlotte lays out all the truths about Carmella’s “success”. Becky admits how she felt when Charlotte won her way into the match. Carmella’s promo started out silly and annoying but in the end got really serious and defensive. She hit both ends of the heel promo spectrum before Paige comes out and makes a match.
Charlotte Promo Rating: Seven Stone Colds
Becky Promo Rating: Four Stone Colds
Carmella Promo Rating: Six Roddy Pipers
Segment Rating: Six This Is Your Lifes
BECKY LYNCH & CHARLOTTE FLAIR VS. MANDY ROSE & SONYA DeVILLE
Paige puts Carmella on commentary because talking is what she does best. Mandy looked really sloppy tonight. The match was much better with Sonya in the ring. Even then, some of the moves seemed slow and out of sync. Becky is able to take out Sonya then lock in the Dis-Arm-Her on Mandy for the win. Crowd pops huge. Sloppy match, definitely expected better here.
Match Rating: Three Gold Medals
THE TRIPLE THREAT VS. THE BLUDGEON BROTHERS
This is going to be fun. The Bludgeons didn’t even let the match start before committing triple homicide. That was enjoyable.
Destruction Rating: Five Braun Strowmans
I really like how they’re building the Daniel Bryan vs. Miz match, minus all the fucking reality show promos from Miz, because that takes away from the build.
SAnitY vs. THE NEW DAY
I’ve been calling for a New Day breakup for a long time, and while they still annoy the hell out of me, the feud with SAnitY has reinvigorated them. I wouldn’t be surprised if they continue to put over SAnitY for a little while before finally going their separate ways, but I also wouldn’t be surprised if they stay together. There aren’t any other three-man groups right now, so these two teams need each other and also bring out the best in each other.
If they do split up, I’d love to see Xavier Woods as a singles heel. I think he’d thrive in that role with his mic skills and in-ring style. I think a much better version of Lio Rush from 205 Live. As much as I want to see them separate, there’s no denying how over New Day still is, as you can hear from the crowd in this match. Big E pins Killian Dain to end a really good match. I think SAnitY needed the win more, but it makes more sense to give New Day the win heading into their title match at SummerSlam. If the Bludgeon Brothers hadn’t just demolished some guys, I would have had them interrupt the match and destroy New Day. I can’t complain about the match quality though, it was really good.
Match Rating: Eight Gold Medals
AIDEN ENGLISH VS. ANDRADE “CIEN” ALMAS W/ZELINA VEGA
I have to believe Aiden will screw over Rusev and Lana at SummerSlam. Whether it’s on purpose or not will be the the story. This was a squash. Almas is badass and I really like the push he’s getting.
Match Rating: Seven Gold Medals
Rusev and Lana are painfully awkward to me, and I really want them to get crushed.
SHELTON BENJAMIN VS. JEFF HARDY
Don’t be surprised if Randy Orton interferes. It’s fun to hear the three or four hipster smarks in the crowd chant “Brother Nero” all alone. Cute. Very good match between two long-time WWE vets with Hardy getting the win as expected. I’m surprised Orton didn’t attack during the match, but Shinsuke does attack afterwards. Jeff was ready and hit a Twist of Fate and a Swanton Bomb.
Match Rating: Six Gold Medals
IN-RING PROMO: AJ STYLES
Joe interrupts a really good promo by AJ to read a letter supposedly written by AJ’s wife. Really good shit.
AJ Promo Rating: Six Stone Colds
Joe Promo Rating: Nine Roddy Pipers
Overall Show Rating: Seven Gold Medals
I haven’t decided yet if I’ll have guest reviews for Takeover, SummerSlam, Raw, SmackDown Live, and 205 Live or if I will do them after from a live crowd perspective. If you want to do the reviews in my stead hit me up. FUCK YEAH, I’M GOING TO SUMMERSLAM!
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