WWE Bash In Berlin took place on Saturday, August 31st.
Returning to Germany to present a televised event for the first time since 1997, WWE presented a double header of events with SmackDown and the event itself airing live from the Uber Arena in the nation’s capital. As has been seen throughout the European live events, the crowd was once again very loud and broke 100 decibels on numerous occasions. As has been the case with non-Big 4 events, the show consisted of 5 matches.
WWE Bash In Berlin Results:
Cody Rhodes defeated Kevin Owens to retain the Undisputed Championship [23:16] – Focusing on whether or not Owens would betray Rhodes and if the apparent knee injury would play a factor, Owens put up a valiant effort in a match that almost everyone knew he would not be victorious in. As Rhodes looked like he was going to win the match, the knee injury factored into the match. On the outside, a conflicted Owens struggled to capitalise on the injury, which would ultimately lead to his downfall. While it was all smiles after the bell, it remains unknown whether or not this will continue – ****
Jade Cargill and Bianca Belair defeated Alba Fyre and Isla Dawn to become the new Women’s Tag Team Champions [12:02] – Fyre and Dawn used their heelish tactics to distract the referee and isolate Belair while Cargill protested. The match looked designed to put over Cargill as a powerhouse and force to be reckoned with, which was very much accomplished on the show. Cargill and Belair hit the double team combo with the German suplex from Cargill to pick up the victory – ***
CM Punk defeated Drew McIntyre in a strap match [19:15] – Full disclosure, the touching the 4 corners version of the strap match is not the version of the strap match I prefer, with the pinfall or submission being the preferred choice. That being said, Punk and McIntyre kept up the intensity despite the somewhat light-hearted method of winning the match. With table spots, bloodshed and 5 GTS from Punk to McIntyre, the crowd came alive with each big move before the conclusion of the match with Punk stealing back the friendship bracelet and emphatically slamming the final corner. With one win a piece, a thrid match looks inevitable, likely at Bad Blood inside Hell in a Cell. Punk picked up his first victory in over 10 years and looked much better than his previous performances – ***1/2
Rhea Ripley and Damian Priest defeated Liv Morgan and Dominik Mysterio [14:20] – Despite the fact that Morgan and Mysterio were very much outmatched in power, both did well in taking control in parts of the match and not constantly cowering away from The Terror Twins. The crowd popped for every time that Mysterio got hit by Priest and came unglued when Ripley choked out Mysterio. The rest of The Judgment Day came down to provide interference but were neutralised. While Ripley hit the riptide onto Morgan to pin the Women’s Champion and win the match, everyone wanted to see the pin on Dom – ***
Gunther defeated Randy Orton to retain the World Heavyweight Championship [34:28] – The crowd erupted for the entrances of both stars and were split for who they were cheering for. Somehow being even louder than before, the fans broke out in chants and Mexican waves as both men soaked in the applause, including Orton joining in the Mexican wave. Orton just looks like he is having so much fun since he returned and it shows. Gunther hit the signature hard shots and Orton targeted the hand, meaning that Gunther’s chops were as painful to him as they were to Orton. Gunther was slammed onto the announce table and steel steps repeatedly and also hit with an RKO for a near fall. Just as it appeared that both men had nothing left to give, Gunther locked in the sleeper to make Orton pass out, defeating the veteran in the same way that he won the championship back at SummerSlam. While the match dragged in some places, the space in between big moves made the match feel big time and more old school compared to the no-selling and fast-paced matches seen frequently in the modern era. With the victory, Gunther cemented his controversial King of the Ring victory and has truly cemented himself as the top star on Raw – ****
Featured image: WWE
