Michael Cole announced 14,584 in attendance
Becky Lynch vs. Trish Stratus – Stratus tried to escape early. Lynch went on the attack early. Stratus tried to escape again but was stopped. Lynch was slammed into the steel repeatedly. Lynch took back control and it was Stratus’ turn to go into the steel. Both women were caught between the ropes and the cage, resulting in multiple cage slams. Stratus tried to escape again but was brought back in. Stratus hits The Widows Peak but Stratus kicked out. Lynch hit the Twist of Fate but Stratus kicked out. Stratus hit the Stratusfaction but Lynch kicked out. Stratus then hit a top rope Bulldog but Lynch kicked out again. Both women fought on top of the steel cage. Stratus made it to the other side but her legs got caught in the top. Lynch hit a top rope Superplex. Zoey Stark came to ringside to try and drag Stratus out but Lynch would drag Stratus back in, then getting the door slammed into her face. Stark came into the cage to make it 2 on 1. Stratus tried to escape again but was caught with a top rope Man Handle Slam to win the match. Zoey Stark had enough of Stratus after the bell and attacked Stratus to end the alliance.
This might be the best Women’s steel cage match ever. There was some good back and forth. Lynch may have dispatched Stark a bit too easily but it was a very entertaining contest – ****
LA Knight vs. The Miz – Before the match started John Cena announced that he would be the special guest referee. Miz stalled getting in the ring and rolled out of the ring as soon as the opening bell rang. Miz walked to the back but was intercepted by Knight. Miz took control while telling Cena he is watching him. Miz rolled out the ring again. Miz charged at Knight but was thrown into the timekeeper’s area. Cena broke up both men’s corner attacks, which caused arguments between themselves and the referee. Miz hit multiple DDTs but Knight kicked out. Miz tried to use the ropes as leverage but Cena stopped it. Miz hit the Skull Crushing Finale but Knight kicked out. Knight hit the Blunt Force Trauma to win the match.
Unfortunately, the rivalry and buildup was overshadowed by Cena as the referee. While it is nice to see Cena back in WWE, it shouldn’t be at the expense of Knight – **
Rey Mysterio vs. Austin Theory – Good back and forth between both men at the start of the match. Theory slowed the match down and took control for an extended period of time. Theory went for the mask of Mysterio, with Mysterio hitting a top rope dive to regain control. Theory was set up for the 619 but Theory avoided it. Theory was set up again for the 619 and it was executed. Theory was later rolled up to give the win to Mysterio.
This was a very by-the-numbers match. While there was nothing wrong with it, there isn’t a reason to go back and rewatch it. **
Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens vs. Finn Balor and Damian Priest – A brawl to the outside started things off. Zayn grabbed multiple chairs and was struck with a kendo stick. Zayn and Owens grabbed trash cans and took control. A table was brought out next to the delight of the crowd. More chairs were brought into play. Owens struck Priest, Balor struck Owens and Zayn struck Balor with chairs. Dominik Mysterio arrived to provide backup. Owens and Zayn came out in Pittsburgh Penguins jerseys and initiated a hockey fight. Owens also got busted open at one point. Zayn hit Balor with a Blue Thunderbomb onto a pile of chairs, but Balor kicked out. Priest suplexed Zayn onto a bed of chairs. The fight went into the crowd again. Owens jumped off a high guardrail to drive Mysterio through a table. Balor was then sent through a table, Priest was hit with a Stunner and Helluva kick, but the pin was broken up by JD McDonagh, who was thrown onto the announce table. Ripley ran down to ringside and speared Owens through the guardrail. Mysterio hit Zayn with the Money in the Bank briefcase to allow Balor to pin Zayn and win the match and the championships.
This was just what was needed to wake the crowd up. Lots of fun weapons spots and big moves to make for a highly entertaining match – ****
Cody Rhodes appeared on The Grayson Waller Effect and announced that Jey Uso is back in WWE and will be a part of the Monday Night Raw roster. Uso Superkicked Waller.
Rhea Ripley vs. Raquel Rodriguez – Both competitors were relatively evenly matched in the early stages. Ripley struck Rodriguez multiple times but Rodriguez wouldn’t move. Ripley would take control after a stiff dropkick. Rodriguez struggles to get back into the match. Rodriguez had some hope spots but Ripley had it scouted. Rodriguez hit a stalling suplex to turn the momentum. Ripley came back into the match with a running knee. Ripley targeted the leg of Rodriguez but Rodriguez fought through the pain. On the outside, Rodriguez threw Ripley into the steel post. Mysterio came to provide interference but was taken out by Rodriguez. Ripley hit the Riptide to retain.
While a more competitive match, this followed the usual formula of a Ripley or Mysterio match, where interference plays a factor – ***
Seth Rollins vs. Shinsuke Nakamura – Starting out with chain wrestling an early stalemate occurred. Nakamura made it clear that he will be targeting the back of Rollins. Nakamura went out of the ring and Rollins met him with a dive to the outside. Rollins landed on his back and winced. Nakamura then began the attacks on the back of Rollins. Back on the outside Rollins was slammed onto the announce table. More attacks on the back followed. Rollins continued to sell the back throughout as he hit high-impact moves. Nakamura set up for the Kinshasa but was intercepted by Rollins. Nakamura locked in a triangle choke but Rollins powered out of it. Rollins hit a Pedigree and a Stomp to win the match.
This was the best that Nakamura has looked in years. The targeting of the back was a good story and the in-ring action was solid ***½
Featured image: WWE
