Drew McIntyre defeated AJ Styles and Randy Orton
6/10
- Randy Orton comes out to the ring and immediately calls out AJ Styles.
- AJ Styles does that and gloats about hitting an RKO next week.
- Drew McIntyre interrupts Styles and says people want to see them have a triple threat match, not talk.
- The match gets underway and OC attacks, but Orton and Drew take them out with their finishers.
- Somehow this takes up the first 15-16 minutes after a commercial.
- You see them setting up the Glasgow Tower Of Doom from a mile away.
- McIntyre hits his signature moves, but gets taken out by stairs from Orton.
- Styles can't hit an RKO, but Orton hits a Styles Clash.
- RKO hits on Styles, but Drew steals the pin after hitting a Claymore on Orton.
- Drew's pin was a little lazy for my liking.
- AJ and Orton actually made me forget Drew was in the match.
- This is worth seeing for the Orton Styles Clash alone.
Ricochet defeated Mojo Rawley
5/10
- It's good to see Mojo getting more of a shot on WWE TV.
- They do the old "IF THIS WAS THE ROYAL RUMBLE, MOJO WOULD BE ELIMINATED" spot.
- They also do the same tope con hilo we see ten times a week.
- Mojo hits a Pounce, but ends up losing to the Recoil and 630.
- Not much of a reaction to this, even though Ricochet is a Kentucky boy. Lexington and Paducah are four hours apart, this was not a homecoming for Ricochet.
Charlotte Flair defeated Sarah Logan
SQUASH
- Well the push for Sarah Logan was fun. It lasted a solid week.
- Charlotte Flair submits her with a Figure Eight and puts her robe back on.
- She throws Logan over the top rope.
- I like the new Sarah Logan gimmick and gear.
TRUTH AND CONSEQUENCES
- Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman come out to the ring and Heyman trolls Kentucky.
- They tease leaving.
- Paul Heyman cuts a promo about Brock Lesnar winning the Royal Rumble and says only the truth flows from his mouth.
- This brings out R-Truth. He says his childhood hero is John Cena and it taught him to never give up.
- Watching Brock Lesnar being entertained by all this is great.
- Truth says he's going to eliminate Paul Heyman. Brock Lesnar busts out laughing.
- Truth undeclares from the Royal Rumble and say Paul Heyman talks way too much and he gives away spoilers.
- Heyman says nobody likes Truth. Brock Lesnar hits him and F5's him.
- Mojo Rawley comes out and pins Truth for the title as he's being helped to the back.
Bobby Lashley (w/ Lana Lashley) defeated Rusev
4.75/10
- Lashley and Lana Lashley say that everyone is jealous of them.
- Rusev beats Lashley's ass pretty thoroughly. He hits a cannonball in the corner, too.
- Lashley takes over and sends Rusev over the top rope, then spears him big time. This was a big one.
- Lashley posts himself. This is a very 1991 WWF big man match.
- Rusev rolls through a German suplex and hits a Machka Kick.
- A distraction gets Lashley back into it.
- No Liv Morgan in sight until they're both down. Lana throws a drink in her face and darts Liv into the barricade.
- Spear, and Lashley gets the win.
- Lana Lashley is upset about this. She challenges Rusev and Liv to a mixed tag match. Bobby Lashley isn't happy about this.
Viking Raiders defeated Bollywood Boyz
SQUASH
- Viking Raiders cut a really terrible promo and make an open challenge.
- It's the Bollywood Boyz, who get lawn darted into one another.
- Viking Experience wins it.
Contract signing
- Becky Lynch comes out, as do Asuka and Kairi Sane.
- Becky signs the contract and says to let the best woman win.
- Asuka spits mist in her face. Becky Lynch and WWE play it up like a million bucks. Officials ran out with water and helped her.
- The officials all tending to Becky Lynch desperately plays up the "golden goose" angle of the story too. That ruled, man. One of the better contract signing angles in a while.
- Becky Lynch cuts a great promo about coming for Asuka. This is such an amazing segment. So effective and good.
Backstage Crappenings
- Andrade vs. Mysterio for the United States Championship is set for next week. Zelina says they'll press charges against Mysterio because he's a criminal. Andrade cuts a promo in Spanish, and it works. Rey Mysterio responds in a promo. He says he's ready to sacrifice for it and he knows the dangers.
Aleister Black defeated Buddy Murphy
7.75/10
- I REALLY think this should have been stretched out. Buddy Murphy should have asked for a match last week, been denied it. While Aleister keeps crushing people, it consumes Murphy and they take each other out of the Rumble match, leading to a third.
- There's a good strike trade, as is tradition.
- We go to a commercial after a nice Murphy suplex outside the ring.
- Murphy tries to hold on to the tights, and gets a big foot to the face instead.
- Black does a run up kick, and the two come eye to eye and slug it out.
- They have maybe the best chemistry of anyone in WWE.
- Buddy kicks Black mid-moonsault and lands Murphy's Law. When he hooks the leg, it put Black's other leg on the ropes.
- Murphy tries Black Mass, but misses it. Black hits one, but the ref completely fucks up and acts like Murphy kicked out.
- Black hits another and wins.
- Murphy is broken and he's rejecting an interview with Charly. This is great.
Erick Rowan beats Jobber
SQUASH
- Murphy is still ringside.
- He reaches in his crate and whatever it is makes his hand bleed.
- Iron Claw Slam. Win.
FIST FIGHT
Seth Rollins & AOP defeated Big Show, Kevin Owens and Samoa Joe
6/10
- It's already breaking down into a hardcore match.
- Owens does an outstanding dive by running up the stage wall and dives off!
- Joe does a big senton onto Akam.
- BUDDY MURPHY IS STILL THERE! This is amazing!
- Buddy Murphy punches Big Show in the dick and helps throw him through a table.
- AOP Bonsoir KO through a table and Joe.
- Big Show tosses Buddy out, but AOP powerbomb him. A Stomp wins it.
- Buddy Murphy embraces Seth Rollins after the match.
Rating Guide
10- Perfect, 9- MOTY Territory, 8- Excellent, 7- Great, 6- Good, 5- Average to above average, 4- Slightly below average, 3 or below: Poor
Each match starts at a 5 and slides up and down based on entertainment, execution, time, environment, reaction and stakes. The ratings are in no way an indication of a "star rating," which is a completely different system. A standard, non-offensive "TV match" lands at a 5. The gap between 5.75-6 is generally the largest, with anything reaching 6 being recommended viewing.
These are opinions, and incredibly inconsistent ones that may change upon a second viewing, or sitting on the match for a period of time. Don't take them too seriously, and have (and share) your own!
Get exclusive pro wrestling content on Fightful Select, our premium news service! Click here to learn more.
