Nikki Cross defeated Charlotte Flair via countout
3.75/10
I'm not sure what WWE's obsession with turning Rhea Ripley into the troll face meme is, but they constantly do it. Nikki Cross wins by countout, and Rhea Ripley is so happy. Charlotte, the challenger for the World Title in a few days has been booked as an easily distracted loser in recent weeks. Nothing gets me hyped for a title match like that! This is one of the most ineptly booked divisions in my history as a wrestling viewer.
John Morrison (w/ Miz) defeated Jeff Hardy
5/10
Miz yelling at Morrison for leaving him on the ramp in slow mo is funny. The match is quick, and John Morrison wins fairly clean. This is a good win for Morrison.
If Jeff Hardy Loses, He Retires
Jeff Hardy defeated Cedric Alexander
5.25/10
After the match, Cedric Alexander, who lost to Hardy last week calls him washed up. Okay, man. Neat. You lost to him last week. Jeff Hardy says he'll retire if Cedric can beat him now. Cedric does well, but misses a Swanton and Hardy wins. Good to have a match with stakes but why between two losers.....again? Cedric should have won last week, and been frustrated.
Piper Niven (w/ Eva Marie) defeated Naomi
SQUASH
Eva Marie is yolked. She has Piper Niven with her, who commentary is pretending to not know. They gave her the Bertha Faye hair, too. She fights for Eva Marie and absolutely crushes Naomi. Eva Marie says that she's won, and doesn't look excited to be with Piper, but Piper is incredulous. The pitched name for Niven has been......"Doudrop."
Women's Tag Team
Tamina, who took ten years to become a champion, is telling Mandy and Dana that if they worked harder, they'd be champs by now. Mandy and Dana say Natalya and Tamina got where they are because of their names. They have a fight in the middle of the training ring.
RKBro defeated New Day
8/10
Randy Orton tells Riddle backstage to just be himself tonight. This match was as good as expected. Riddle is on top of his game, and Kofi Kingston work has been outstanding fresh off of a near main event run. The fact he was still improving that far into his career says a lot. Randy Orton doing an assisted powerbomb with Xavier Woods is something I didn't expect. One of the best spots I've seen recently is Riddle going for his second rope German suplex, but New Day turning it into a Doomsday Stomp. Honor Roll into an RKO. I like Orton not pinning Kofi Kingston. I want Kofi Kingston to always have Orton's number. This match ruled.
Backstage, MVP is trying to talk some sense into Kofi Kingston. Kofi isn't having it.
Rhea Ripley defeated Asuka
6/10
I'm not sure why WWE felt the need to do four Asuka vs. Rhea Ripley singles matches (seven overall) in a couple of months, but here we are. Ripley outright headbutting Asuka -- that's the Ripley that got over big. I loved a couple of things about Rhea Ripley's offense in particular tonight -- the headbutt and the cravat knees. This was hard hitting, back and forth and a good match. Ripley wins with the Riptide, and that's just how it should be.
Charlotte attacks after the match and they're fighting. Ripley busts up Charlotte Flair. I would have much preferred Charlotte vs. Rhea Ripley being booked as the Peter Griffin vs. The Chicken story of them just fighting each other at all times, instead of "smiley troll trolls woman who loses a lot"
Alexa Bliss defeated Nia Jax (w/ Reginald)
3.75/10
Alexa Bliss put Lilly in time out in a promo at the top of the show. Alexa Bliss is really aggressive in the ring. Nia Jax's offense just doesn't look good. Everyone bumps hard for her, but it looks like she barely touches the opponent. Bliss has the win with Twisted Bliss, but Reginald causes the DQ. Why that kind of finish in Bliss/Nia? What would it have hurt Nia to take a pin to the finish there? Alexa is controlling Reginald until he snaps out of it. It really establishes "you don't need to pay attention to what this person is doing" when WWE doesn't care to give them a clean win in their first match in four months.
Jaxson Ryker defeated Elias via countout
WTF
Nobody asked for this once. Why is it happening twice? Well the same shit happens the second time.
Drew McIntyre vs. AJ Styles (w/ Omos)
5/10
Drew McIntyre and Bobby Lashley talk about William Wallace. Wonder who cooked up that one. AJ Styles and Omos are liking Lashley's girls. Viking Raiders come out to even the odds. The match is a good one until Drew attacks Lashley, and Lashley causes a DQ. Okay, then.
Drew McIntyre & Viking Raiders defeated Bobby Lashley, AJ Styles & Omos
5/10
I can't be arsed to care about this inconsequential match. McIntyre pins Lashley with a Claymore. Lashley should have kept his suit on for this. I dunno why WWE does this so much, but I really would like to see winners fight winners. But this was the hope spot!
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! Our opinions mean exactly the same amount as yours.