- Roman Reigns (C) v. Finn Balor - Roman retains
- Becky Lynch (C) v. Bianca Belair - Becky retains
- Charlotte Flair (C) v. Alexa Bliss - Alexa wins the title
- Damien Priest (C) v. Sheamus v. Jeff Hardy - Damien retains
- Usos (C) v. Street Profits - Usos retain
- Liv Morgan v. Carmella - Liv wins
- Usos (C) v. Street Profits - Usos retain
Sunday, September 26, 2021
SmackDown before Extreme Rules and Predictions
Raw before Extreme Rules and Predictions
It is the last Raw before Extreme Rules and the show opens with Big E celebrating with his New Day brothers after winning the championship last week over Bobby Lashley. After much thanks and appreciation, E sets his sights on SmackDown's Bloodline - Roman Reigns and the Usos. As a result, the first match of the evening will be a six man tag match between the Bloodline and the New Day. It was a vicious match because of the familiarity that exists between all 6 competitors. However, the height of the match happened when Big E and Roman Reigns went at it. A second highlight came when Bobby Lashley ran down the ramp and attacked both teams. Lashley's presence would allow Roman Reigns to execute the spear and pin Xavier Woods for the win. One last thing to note before moving on in the evening. MVP is noticeably absent. He suffered a broken rib last week as a result of a RKO and will be out indefinitely.
The second match of the evening has Randy Orton squaring up against AJ Styles. Each competitor has their respective tag partners at ringside. Awesome match which saw Omos get ejected from the area for interfering. After the commercial break, these two veteran competitors gave a expertly engaging performance. In the end, the viper Orton would pick up the win thanks to his signature move.
Women are up next with Shayna Baszler and Nia Jax meeting in the squared circle. This was a short chapter to the dissolution storyline between the former tag partners. Shayna quickly picks up the victory. However the destruction would continue after the bell with Baszler taking out the left arm of Jax with the assistance of the steel steps.
Brutality continues with Rhea Ripley as she teams with Nikki Cross. They go against the tag champs, Nattie and Tamina for the gold. The champs control the first half of the match until Rhea hits the Riptide on Tamina on the outside. This was enough of a distraction to allow Nikki to pick up the win over Nattie. And just like that, we have new tag champs in the odd coupling of Rhea and Nikki.
The estrogen parade keeps going as Alexa Bliss and "Lilly" are hosting The Playground in the center of the ring. Their guest is none other that the queen herself - Charlotte Flair. There is such a mean girls flavor to this storyline. After a minute or two of verbal aggression, Charlotte takes off her heels, attacks Alexa and rips off the head of the doll "Charly". I predict Bliss taking the gold from the queen tonight at Extreme Rules.
Next we have a triple threat match between Roman Reigns, Bobby Lashley and Big E. Ettore demonstrates dominance to start the match. Each competitor took turns controlling the narrative but in the end, the visiting Tribal Chief picks up the win. Is this a harbinger to come for tonight when Roman faces Finn Balor? I think so. As much as I would like to see Reigns finally stripped of his Universal title, my gut is telling me that the Bloodline story hasn't reached its peak. I predict Roman to retain his title at Extreme Rules.
#BringBackBraunTuesday, August 24, 2021
NXT TakeOver 36 Recap and Results
NXT TakeOver 36 was billed as a night of when the theory of chaos meets the laws of physics.
The first match was for the Million Dollar Championship belt. I was rooting for Cameron Grimes all the way TO THE MOON. Finally, I get to see one of my favorite wrestlers back in the ring with some upgraded gear. He is accompanied by his fairy godfather - Ted DiBiase. Grimes will fight to take the belt away from current champ, LA Knight. It was great to see the belt go home with Grimes, as well as, seeing DiBiase get in on the action. I have my first prediction correct.
The second match of the evening is another championship match. Dakota Kai will give her all in an effort to take the gold away from current champ, Raquel Gonzalez. I am not interested in this storyline. I just want to see Raquel lose to someone. I have said before, she seems like more of a brute than a wrestler. There were a couple of bad sells during the bout. Certain moves didn't connect but the athletes acted like they did. In a loose and ill fitting top, Gonzalez retains. During the champ's celebration, former NXT UK Women's Champion, Kay Lee Ray, makes her presence known. A former champ taking gold away from the current champ - I'm in.
Before I get to the next feud, I have a question. Is it me or is NXT highlighting more NXT stars that usual? Piper Niven on Monday Night Raw, Kay Lee Ray making eye contact with Raquel Gonzalez and now Walter v. Ilja Dragunov for the NXT UK Championship belt. I am placing my bet on Ijla based on what I saw last Tuesday between him and Roderick Strong.
Both athletes are intense and focused. One would think that just by looking at these two men, Walter would win by size alone. And let's not forget his thunderous slaps. However, Ilja is confident of his skills which puts to sleep any doubts. Both men are visibly blistered from this very brutal bout. In the end, Dragunov would win the gold. That's two predictions correct.
There are two main events in this pay-per-view. First up, it the undisputed rivalry between Adam Cole and Kyle O'Reily. The first fall in this three fall match, is a straight forward pin or submission contest. Both men get right into the action from the bell. No feeling out to start. Just strong offenses and submission attempts. Kyle O'Reily pins Cole and has the psychology advantage.
Round two is a street fight. What these superstars do to their bodies for our entertainment is insane. The chair shots, the slaps from kendo sticks, heads in garbage cans, etc. I don't know who's crazier - the fans or the participants. This street fight would conclude in Adam's favor. The score is now tied at one win a piece. I said last week that this was going 3 falls.
A steel cage will be the final decider in this feud. While handcuffed to the top, Kyle O'Reily taps out Adam Cole in the shortest of all three falls. That is three predictions correct.
The final main event of the evening will have Samoa Joe squaring up against NXT Champion Karrion Kross for the gold. Before any action takes place, I was surprised to hear the crowd chant "We want Scarlett!" Kross does not need his real life girlfriend as a part of his character. They can each move up to the main roster separately. I would like to see Scarlett in action.
The other thing that I noticed that he was not wearing his gladiator gear. I have theorized in the past that you can almost predict who is going to win by what they wear at a pay-per-view event. And sure enough, my theory was once again correct. Samoa is the new NXT champ for the third time. I cannot wait to see how WWE creative introduces Kross on the main roster.
So I correctly guessed 7 out of 9 matches for SummerSlam and 4 out of 5 matches for NXT TakeOver 26. I think that I will welcome SLTD Wrestling's invitation to join their predictions league. Until then, Hey WWE.........................
#BringBackBraun
Saturday, August 21, 2021
SummerSlam Recap and Results
SummerSlam 2021 Predictions
As sure as my eyes are blue, I enjoy my tradition of viewing every pay-per-view leading up to the current pay-per-view event. Tonight is SummerSlam 2021 and I have re-watched every SummerSlam since 1988. It was both nostalgic and bittersweet. The first ever "party of the summer" took place at Madison Square Garden with 30,000 fans in attendance. The very first match was the Rougeau Brothers verses Dynamite Kid (1958-2018) and Davey Boy Smith (1962-2002) aka, the British Bulldogs, accompanied by their four legged mascot Matilda. Referee Joey Marella (1963-1994) had no choice but to declare the match a draw because of an expired time limit. I can't remember when WWE got rid of time limits but thank goodness they did. Also, I don't know that I necessarily miss the days when wrestlers would come to the ring with a "pet", but it was definitely a staple of the 1980. Remember Coco B. Ware and his parrot Frankie? How about Jake "The Snake" Roberts and his snake Damien?
What's bittersweet about revisiting the moments that defined my childhood was seeing and hearing icons that have since passed away. Gorilla Monsoon (1937-1999) was a phenominal commentator. A former wrestler himself, he would speak like the Audible version of Grey's Anatomy. He was also the best straight man for his future sidekick at the announce table, Bobby "The Brain" Heenan (1944-2017). They, in my opinion, were the best commentators ever.
Focusing further on SummerSlam '88, the third match of the evening was Ravishing Rick Rude (1958-1999) squaring up against the Junkyard Dog (1952-1998). Rude is accompanied to the ring by his manager Bobby Heenan. In addition to time limits, WWE has also gotten rid of managers. Gone are the days of Jimmy "Mouth of the South" Hart, Mr. Fuji (1934-2016), Paul Bearer (1954-2013), Miss Elizabeth (1960-2003), etc.
Before I get to my thoughts and predictions for SummerSlam '21, I just want to highlight the main event of the very first SummerSlam. In 1988, the highlight of the evening saw Hulk Hogan and "Macho Man" Randy Savage (1952-2011), aka, the Mega Powers squaring up against the Million Dollar Man Ted DiBiase and Andre the Giant (1946-1993), aka, the Mega Bucks. Miss Elizabeth was in the corner of Randy and Hulk, while Bobby Heenan occupied the corner of Ted and Andre. The special referee was Jesse "The Body" Ventura. Who on earth could have ever predicted that the future governor of Minnesota would be calling a match in the world of sports entertainment involving a giant and future hall of famers? The Mega Powers would win the match with the help of Miss Elizabeth who takes off her skirt for a distraction.
It was such a great feeling re-living memories of yesterday. Now the time has come to add to those moments. Here are my predictions for tonight's SummerSlam.
- Roman Reigns (C) v. John Cena (championship): Roman retains. Cena's just stopping by.
- Nikki Cross (C) v. Rhea Ripley v. Charlotte Flair (championship): I don't know
- Goldberg v. Lashley (C) (championship): Lashley retains. Goldberg is just stopping by.
- Bianca Belair (C) v. Sasha Banks (championship): Banks wins.
- Edge v. Seth Rollins: Edge wins.
- Usos (C) v. The Mysterios (championship): Usos retain
- Sheamus (C) v. Damien Priest (championship): Priest wins.
- Drew McIntyre v. Jinder Mahal: I LOVE both men but I'm choosing McIntyre.
- AJ Styles and Omos (C) v. Randy Orton and Matt Riddle (championship): Randy and Matt win
- Alexa Bliss v. Eva Marie: I don't care. Just make it a short match.
Final NXT Before TakeOver 36
Malcolm Bivens is live on the mic in the center of the ring. He is flanked by 2 members of the Diamond Mine. Tyler Rust used to be a member of the Diamond Mine until he was released on August 6, 2021. An open challenger has been issued and Ilja Dragunov has answers the call. He will be facing Roderick Strong. The match starts with a feeling out process followed by some insane chest slaps back and forth. Ilja showcased unbridled intensity throughout the match. Roderick gave as good as he took. At one point he sent his opponent into the steel steps. This resulted in a determined and crimson faced Dragunov to eventually win the match.
Next is Jessi Kamea and Robert Stone, accompanied by Franky Monet. Their opponents are Dexter Lumis and Indi Hartwell. I rooting for "Index". It was a little creepy watching them move in-sync. Monet gets involved and the ref orders her away from ringside. The greatest part of the bout besides "Index" winning was when Stone launched himself over the top rope directly onto the floor. He missed Lumis by miles. He is the NXT version of Baron Corbin. One other thing worth noting was Indi proposing to Dexter and him saying "yes". Are they exclusively dating or engaged? I don't care. Just happy to be along for the ride.
The NXT BreakOut Tournament is next with Duke Hudson and Carmelo Hayes set to compete. I personally want Hudson to win. He has the size and power advantage. Hayes, on the other hand, is a quick high flyer. .With a series of high impact offences, Carmelo Hayes has punched his way to the finals. He will now meet Odyssey Jones in the final round. I don't know who WWE creative will choose to win. On one side of the coin, high flyers are always an asset. On the other side, men in the vein of Mark Henry and Keith Lee don't come around often.
The main event of the evening is a tag team championship match between Imperium and MSK. MSK is an adaptable team that have been able to pick up wins over Ciampa and Thatcher, Grizzled Young Veterans and Legado Del Fantasma. The odds have this match in their favor. If only I were in Vegas, I would have hit big. MSK retain their gold.
Speaking of Vegas, later tonight is SummerSlam live from Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nevada, a suburb of Las Vegas. I will be posting my predictions later today. Until then, here are my predictions for NXT TakeOver 36 this Sunday, August 22, 2021.
- Karrion Kross v. Samoa Joe (championship): Giving the win to Joe because I want Kross on the main roster
- Walter v. Ilja Dragunov: Based on what I saw in his match against Strong, I'm giving Ilja the win.
- Raquel Gonzalez v. Dakota Kai (championship): Raquel needs a vacation so I give the win to Kai.
- Adam Cole v. Kyle O'Reily: This is definitely going 3 falls and I'm giving the win to O'Reily. He needs to be the new face of NXT the way Cole once was. I also think Adam is very similiar to a younger Shawn Michaels and would be an asset to the main roster.
- LA Knight v. Cameron Grimes: Grimes will win to correct the wrong that was committed when Knight won it the first time around.
#BringBackBraun
Friday, August 20, 2021
The Final Raw before SummerSlam
It's the last Monday Night Raw before SummerSlam so let's get right to the action.
Live from San Antonio, TX, The Viper, Randy Orton kicks off the show. As he is reminding us why he works best alone and what he's going to do to Omos, Matt Riddle's music hits. Matt wants to bring back RK-Bro. However, before Randy can answer, AJ Styles interrupts. He doesn't want Omos to have all the fun, so he will square off against Riddle in the first match of the evening.
Styles comes out hot when the bell rings. He has control for the first half of the match. But then, a triangle submission move by Riddle sends his opponent out of the ring, turning the tide in his favor. After the commercial break, AJ has Matt in a calf crusher but the hold is broken when Riddle gets his hand on the bottom rope. The damage done to the left leg of Riddle allowed Styles to execute the Styles Clash and pick up the win.
Before we get to Randy Orton v. Omos, it will be Nikki Cross in a match against Rhea Ripley. Before the bout can even begin, Charlotte Flair makes her way down to the commentary table. With the bell now rung, Nikki takes control. But in the end, a Rip Tide would pick up the win for Rhea. This Saturday, I will be curious to see if Flair will continue her undefeated streak at SummerSlam.
Now for my favorite storyline. It will be Drew McIntyre in a two on one handicap match against Veer and Shanky. McIntyre wins the match which means Veer and Shanky will be barred from ringside this Saturday at SummerSlam as McIntyre is scheduled to feud with Mahal. While I loved the match. What annoyed me was the color commentators repeatedly saying that Shanky is over 7 feet tall. For the record, Drew is 6'5" and Shanky is 6'9".
The former ECW champ, John Morrison, is in the ring debuting Moist TV. His first guest, The Miz, is quickly silenced by the appearance of Damien Priest. The truth final comes out that The Miz has been medically cleared for weeks. As a result of this revelation, he will be going one on one with Priest.
The United States Champion, Sheamus, joins the announce team to view this fight up close. Miz, in his Gucci loafers, is competing with a seemingly trick knee. Priest predictably wins. What was equally entertaining was John Morrison abandoning The Miz and Damien using Sheamus' signature move to pick up the W. Because I have been saying for months that Priest would be a main roster champ, I firmly believe it will happen this weekend. Let's us also not forget that Sheamus recently became engaged and is going to need some time off for a wedding and a honeymoon.
Up next, the time has finally arrived for Randy Orton to meet Omos in the squared circle. I immediately noticed just how small the ref is compared to these two superstars.
Randy immediately goes for the RKO but Omos just pushes him away. The giant dominates and was on track to win when AJ Styles interferes forcing the ref to call for the bell. The destruction would continue as the tag team champs take it to Randy in a two on one beatdown. Here comes Riddle to the rescue. He runs down the ramp straight pass AJ and immediately drop kicks Omos. Now Randy and Matt are in the center of the ring. And with a few words of respect, it is official, RK-Bro is a team again! Now, we will see RK-Bro vying for the tag belts this Saturday at SummerSlam.
The story of Elias continues as we see a Jeffrey Sciullo put a tombstone on the embers of his burnt guitar. The tombstone reads Elias 2017-2021. Looking forward to his re-invention.
The final segment of the evening is a face to face between Bobby Lashley and Bill Goldberg. Before he gets to the champ, the Hall of Famer addresses his son, Gage. However, an impatient Lashley and MVP halt the speech. Goldberg has heard enough and spears the champion. I love Goldberg. While my heart will be rooting for him, my gut says Bobby will retain. Many reputable sport outlets have reported that the Hall of Famer's current contract obligates him to two matches a year. Since Bill has already fought Drew McIntyre earlier this year in the ThunderDome, Lashley will win this Saturday.
#BringBackBraun
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