WWE BACKLASH RESULTS 5/6: Keller’s PPV report including Styles vs. Nakamura, Seth vs. Miz, Carmella vs. Charlotte, Jax vs. Bliss, Reigns vs. Joe

WWE BACKLASH PPV REPORT
MAY 6, 2018
NEWARK, N.J. AT PRUDENTIAL CENTER
AIRED LIVE ON WWE NETWORK

Announcers: Michael Cole, Corey Graves, Jonathan Coachman

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KICKOFF SHOW

(A) BAYLEY vs. RUBY RIOTT (w/Sarah Logan, Liv Morgan)

The announcers focused on Bayley’s attitude and dynamic with Sasha Banks. They showed Sasha watching on a monitor backstage. It was a good time to cut to split screen because there was a rough looking whip into the ropes where it appeared Riott expected a reversal that didn’t come so she just ran backwards after stopping her momentum on the Bayley whip. They cut to a mid-match break after Riott knocked Bayley to the floor. [c]

Back live, Riott had Bayley in a chinlock as Cole pushed the free trial to WWE Network. In the end, Bayley speared Morgan off the ring apron, but then Riott surprised her as she turned around with a kick to the face. Then she gave Bayley her Riott Kick for the win.

WINNER: Riott.

(Keller’s Analysis: With Nia Jax as the champion, they might be building up Ruby Riott to be a heel challenger for the title, plus playing up the storyline that Bayley’s head isn’t in the right place.)

-During the Kickoff conversation with the panel, Booker T said A.J. Styles is “in his mid-30s” when saying he is in his prime. Styles is 40.

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MAIN SHOW

(1) SETH ROLLINS vs. THE MIZ – Intercontinental Title match

Miz, the challenger, came out first. Cole noted that during the Kickoff Show, Miz proposed that the Miztourage help him, but they didn’t accompany him to ringside. They engaged in some tests of strength in the opening minute. Miz kicked Seth during a a set up for a lock-up and stomped away at him. The crowd booed. Miz took it to Seth at ringside aggressively, then back in the ring delivered a running boot to Seth’s face for a two count. He settled into a chinlock. The announcers really talked up Seth. Graves noted that Mark Henry said Seth is on his way to becoming one of the all-time greats. Cole said it seemed like things have really picked up for Seth in the last few months after struggling to get his groove after returning from his knee injury. Coach made his obligatory mainstream sports sage-like statement (he worked at ESPN, remember!) that any great athlete will tell you a knee injury is the hardest to recover from both physically and mentally. Miz scored a near fall after blocking a kick and delivering a low DDT.

Coach talked about what a brutal schedule the wrestlers have been through in the last 18 days. Graves said it’s not getting easier as they’re headed to the UK for two weeks alter this week. Seth rallied and hit his dive through the ropes, then played to the crowd. Back in the ring Seth springboarded at Miz, but Miz countered into a Skull Crushing Finale attempt, but Seth blocked it and landed a victory roll for a two count. Then Seth hit a Blockbuster for another two count. A minute later Miz leaped off the top rope, but Seth rolled through and picked up Miz and gave him a turning slam for a two count. Seth climbed to the top rope quickly, then landed  frog splash for believable near fall. They replayed it in slo-mo, and it looked great. Cole noted that Backlash is the no. 1 trend on Twitter worldwide. Seth stomped the mat three times and fans chanted “Burn it down!” Miz rolled to the floor to regroup. Seth pursued him to ringside and then right back into the ring. Seth clotheslined Miz to the floor. Seth then went for another dive through the ropes, but Miz cut him off mid-air with a forearm.

As they battled on the ring apron, Seth went for a jumping knee, but Miz side-stepped him and Seth’s knee hit the ringpost. Miz then quickly put Seth in a figure-four leglock. Miz arched his back to increase the torque. Seth looked fired up and then turned Miz over to reverse the pain. Miz reversed it back after 20 seconds. Seth grabbed the bottom rope, which was now within reach, so the ref demanded a release. Seth clutched his knee in pain. Miz went for another figure-four, but Seth kicked him off. Seth won a back and forth battle with an enzuigiri, but then Miz went for a Skull Crushing Finale. Seth blocked it at first, but his knee gave out and Miz hit it for a believable near fall. The crowd was popping big at this point fro Seth. They showed a slo-mo of Miz’s head reverberating after the enzuigiri. Graves said Seth’s knee is shot.

Seth set up a superplex. His knee gave out, but he tried again and hit it. He went for a Falcon Arrow, but his knee gave out. Miz then hit the Skull Crushing Finale for a believable and dramatic near fall. The crowd popped big for the kickout. Miz set up Seth for a SCF off the middle rope, but Seth fought out of it and knocked Miz to the mat. Seth then leaped off the second rope for a stomp, but Miz avoided it. They went into pin attempts and reversals, ending when Seth hit The Stomp on Miz to score the pin. Cole said both wrestlers deserve a standing ovation. Coach said if typically they ease into a show, this wasn’t easing into a show. He did wonder how serious Seth’s knee damage is.

WINNER: Rollins in 21:00 to retain the IC Title. (****1/4)

(Keller’s Analysis: I don’t know right off the top of my head what Miz’s best matches ever were prior to this, but this might be the new Best Miz Match. That was really well done and, more importantly, mega-effective in engaging the crowd enthusiastically and making them believe an outcome that seemed inevitable wasn’t a given after all, despite eventually ending the way you’d have figured it would going in. Seth is on fire. That could headline a PPV and everyone would be satisfied.)

-They went to the announcers at ringside to talk about Seth-Miz. Coach said Seth is at the top of his game.

(2) NIA JAX vs. ALEXA BLISS

[Check out my 80 minute wide-spanning fascinating interview with Mickie James from five years ago this week just reposted this weekend HERE.]

Bliss, the challenger, came out first. Bliss went after Jax’s knee early. She leaped onto her back next. Jax shook her off and then blocked her slap. She twisted her wrist and hit a headbutt and then threw her hard across the ring. Cole said there’s no sign of Jax taking any mercy on Bliss. Bliss regrouped at ringside. Graves said inciting Jax might have worked against Bliss, who was trying to get in her head with those messages leading into the match. Bliss kicked Jax in the knee and then the head as she re-entered the ring. She made a cover, but Jax emphatically kicked out at one. Bliss trash-talked Jax and slapped her. Jax fought back. Coach said trash-talking is a bad idea for Bliss when she’s so severely undersized compared to Jax. Bliss yelled at Jax “You’re pathetic!” as she took over again. Jax lifted Bliss onto her shoulders. Graves called it “game-changing power.” She walked over to the corner. Jax told Bliss to “hold my throat” at which point Bliss grabbed he throat; we weren’t supposed to hear that. Bliss broke Jax’s grip and then leveraged her to the mat with a front facelock.

Bliss climbed to the top rope, but Jax yanked her to the mat hard. Coach said Bliss has gotten in more offense than he expected she would. Jax threw Bliss around and then splashed her in the corner. Bliss knocked Jaxx off the top rope. Jax tumbled to the floor and her head came close to hitting the ringside steps. Bliss DDT’d Jax’s head into the steps. Cole called this the “vicious side of the mean-spirited challenger.” Bliss tried to lift Jax back into the ring, but she couldn’t lift her. Bliss broke the referee’s count and then tried to lift Jax into the ring. The second time worked. Bliss made a cover, but Jax shoved Bliss off at two. Jax lifted Bliss onto her shoulders and climbed to the second rope. Bliss struggled and freed herself, then went for a sunset flip off the second rope. Jax blocked it, but Bliss kicked her in the hamstring and Jax fell to the mat. Bliss made the cover. Coach said if Bliss wins, he’ll declare it “one of the greatest title wins in the history of the women’s title.” Bliss stayed on offense, then stepped on her as she walked over to climb to the top rope. Jax blocked Twisted Bliss and then landed her Samoan Drop for the pin.

WINNER: Jax in 10:00. (**)

(Keller’s Analysis: The match had some drama and some good moments. Bliss was “unnecessarily nasty and mean” at times, which helped offset the natural sympathy one would have for a smaller wrestler fighting someone of Jax’s size. There were some clunky moments and the audible called spot in the corner likely took a lot of viewers out of the moment. I think they did an admirable job trying to make Bliss’s offense believable.)

-Afterward, Jax said this victory was for someone who has never felt good enough and everyone who has been bullied or is being bullied in school or at work or on social media. “You’re not alone, it’s okay to be different,” she said. “Who wants to be ordinary; be extraordinary.” She said you should never change for a friend or a boyfriend or anyone. She said she makes no apologies for who she is. “This is me!” she said. “You be who you are, Be A Star, and remember, in the end, a bully always gets their ass kicked.” Cole went into promoting WWE’s “Be A Star” campaign.

(Keller’s Analysis: I think schools should add that phrase to any anti-bullying posters: “Bullies Always Get Their Ass Kicked.” This felt to scripted and too corporate, but that said, it’s a great message that a lot of people need to hear.)

-They showed an exterior shot of Prudential Center. Then they went to the announcers at ringside. Cole shifted to talking about the Roman Reigns-Brock Lesnar finish in the cage match in Saudi Arabia first. Cole said Roman’s feet hit first, so he should have been declared the winner. Cole threw to a Samoa Joe interview backstage.

-An unnamed women (Dasha Fuentes) interviewed Samoa Joe backstage. Joe said Reigns has lost a lot speed, power, confidence, and determination. He said most importantly tonight he is a man who will have lost to him. He said Reigns will feel pain tonight and he will turn the Big Dog into a whimpering puppy. The crowd cheered.

(3) JEFF HARDY vs. RANDY ORTON – U.S. Title match

Hardy swing-kicked Orton into the barricade a minute in, then leaped off the ring apron with a flying clothesline. Back in the ring Orton made a comeback and had Hardy hanging upside down in the corner of the ring by one leg. Orton stomped and kicked him until the ref made him back off. At ringside a minute later, Hardy surprised Orton by charging and leaping off the ringside steps and kicking Orton in the head. Orton nearly tumbled over the ring barrier. Hardy punched away at Orton, who covered. Hardy yanked off his shirt to more limited female screeches than usual. Orton dropkicked Hardy as Hardy tried to springboard into the ring at him. He then took it to Hardy at ringside for a minute, then scored a two count inside the ring. He stomped on Hardy’s arm, then dropped him abdomen-first over the top rope leading to a two count. Orton’s offense was deliberate and methodically and consistent leading into his obligatory mid-match chinlock. Graves said this is what Orton needs to do – just taking his 250 pound frame and leaning into Hardy. It lasted long enough the crowd entertained themselves with a “Rusev Day!” chant.

Hardy eventually escaped and rallied. He leaped off the top rope and landed a Whisper in the Wind for a two count. Orton went for a sudden RKO, but Hardy blocked it, and then Orton came right back with a snap powerslam for a two count. Graves said Orton isn’t stressing out over this and he seems collected. Orton set up Hardy for his middle rope DDT, but Hardy escaped and landed an inverted heel kick. Hardy went for the Hardiac Arrest swing kick in the corner, but Orton moved. Then Orton hit the middle rope DDT. He pounded the mat and signaled for his RKO. Hardy countered with a roll-up for a two count. He then surprised Orton with a Twist of Fate. He quickly climbed to the top rope and landed the Swanton Bomb for the pin.

WINNER: Hardy in 12:00 to retain the U.S. Title. (**3/4)

(Keller’s Analysis: Good match, but most of all a big statement win for Hardy that shows WWE is committed to him as a top tier babyface on Smackdown. Orton will be fine losing here, but he doesn’t hand out clean losses often. Good move to add a sense that Hardy is more than a nostalgia legacy player just hanging around. Good match, with what I was looking for – a largely action-packed match with signature spots from both wrestlers without excessive or dangerous risks. This was on the higher end of what I hoped these two could put together, but it was pretty slow at times. The crowd didn’t treat it like a dream match, but they were into it enough considering the lack of rivalry and liking both wrestlers equally.)

-A promo aired for Total Bellas including Nikki Bella telling John Cena she can’t give up being a mother, and Cena conceding that perhaps they shouldn’t go through with the marriage if that’s the case. They were both emotional. By that, I mean Nikki was crying and Cena was looking concerned, empathetic, and perhaps a little relieved. That’s just my take.)

-Elias strummed mid-ring and made a Bruce Springsteen reference. He said they party together. He said he gives Bruce advice. “He calls me The Boss,” he said. The crowd didn’t like that. He said Bruce told him his only regret in life is that he’s from New Jersey. Elias said he gets it because “this place is a toilet.” He took a dig at the “whole Tri-State Area” (probably a good idea, since the majority of fans are probably from New York, not New Jersey, and they’re nodding along with Elias’s New Jersey insults). The crowd cheered in anticipation of his “Walk With Elias” moment. He said if they don’t listen to him, he won’t perform tonight. He then said he’s got to leave after more heckling. He teased leaving, then was interrupted by New Day who came out with marching band instruments. Elias asked if they wanted autographs. They said they they wanted to do a dual brand concert with him. Elias said he’s  solo act. Aiden English interrupted and sang about New Day, Elias, and Rusev Day. Elias asked what was going on. Rusev said they are doing whatever they want. Elias asked for Jo Jo to give him his proper introduction. He was about to play under the spotlight when suddenly No Way Jose’s music played. No Way Jose came out with Titus O’Neal, Apollo Crews, and Breezango. When Elias called for the spotlight again, Bobby Roode surprised him with a Glorious DDT. Everyone except Elias, Rusev, and English danced in the Conga Line and made their way to the back. This started to have the vibe of the WWE holiday party after three hours of open bar.

-They went to the announcers at ringside. Graves said Roode has apparently lost all pride in himself. Phillips threw to a video package on the Daniel Bryan return to wrestling.

Seven feet tall, can’t teach that. Wrestling, however, can be taught… but some people are too lazy or entitled to put in the work. We’ll see which is better tonight #SizevsSkill #HeightvsHeart #WWEBacklash

— Daniel Bryan (@WWEDanielBryan) May 6, 2018

(4) DANIEL BRYAN vs. BIG CASS

Bryan came out first to loud “Yes” chants. Graves made mention of the above Tweet by Bryan. Phillips noted that this is Cass’s first match since his ACL knee tear. Bryan kicked Cass’s legs at the start. There were some “We Want Enzo” chants early. Two minutes in, Bryan kicked Cass into the barricade at ringside and then hit a flying knee to the face off the ring apron. Back in the ring Bryan hit a flying dropkick off the top rope, then kipped up. He hit Cass with a series of Yes Kicks, which the crowd was into. When Bryan charged, Cass lifted him and dropped him. He raised his fist and the crowd booed. Graves called Cass for bad strategy in posturing to the crowd when he’s in the ring with one of the all-time greatest in Bryan. Saxton said he wants attention.

Bryan rallied with a series of charges into the corner, but Cass lifted and dropped him on one of the charges. Then he hit a hard clothesline and Bryan took a flip bomb. Cass covered Bryan and scored a two count. Cass stepped onto Bryan’s chest just as Bliss did to Jax earlier. Cass hit Bryan with three clotheslines, posturing to the crowd between each one. Then he went for a running big boot, but Bryan ducked and then took Cass down with a Yes Lock. He could barely wrap his arms around the long limbers of Cass. Cass tried to block it, but Bryan hit him with forearms and applied it. Cass tapped out.

WINNER: Bryan in 8:00. (**1/4)

-Cass attacked Bryan during his post-match celebration and tossed him around ringside. Graves called Cass “an insecure piece of garbage” as he stood over Bryan’s body mid-ring after delivering  big boot. Saxton said he’s a sore loser and he cannot digest failure. The fans chanted “Asshole” at him.

(Keller’s Analysis: I’m relieved they gave Bryan a clean win here. Cass was okay, but still seems a long ways off from being a top tier heel based on the very limited style he displayed here. I feared Vince McMahon would use Bryan as a stepping stone for Cass to build him up to title matches against either Hardy or Styles sooner than later. Bryan has to win this feud to be a serious main event wrestler who fans look at the way they did before his hiatus. Cass gets credit for being utterly and convincingly unlikable. The feud will continue, which is fine, and there’s room for Cass to grow as an act without diminishing Bryan by the end.)

-Commercials aired for Hulu and “Camp WWE” on WWE Network.

-A long video package aired on the Carmella-Charlotte saga.

(5) CARMELLA vs. CHARLOTTE – WWE Smackdown Women’s Title match

Charlotte, the challenger, came out first. The crowd didn’t pop much for Charlotte coming out or during formal ring introductions. Charlotte bounced off the ropes to start like her dad would do, then let out a “woo.” Charlotte imitated her and added a strut. Charlotte gave her a running boot to the face, which didn’t look great. Carmella rolled to the floor to regroup. Charlotte held the ropes open for Carmella. The ref made her back off. Carmella screeched, “Where is my title?” She said she is the champion and she doesn’t need this. She tried to leave, but Charlotte cut her off, then chased her down and threw her hard to the floor. Charlotte threw her into the ring and scored a two count. Charlotte scored a nice one count with a roll-up that included her bridging sideways. Carmella tried to leave, but Charlotte yanked her right back and chopped her. Carmella did bail out. Charlotte slingshot herself to the floor, but Carmella side-stepped her and superkicked her. Back in the ring, she scored a two count.

Carmella grounded Charlotte and abrasively screeched taunts at Charlotte and the fans. Charlotte lifted Carmella and then sat out on the chinlock to break the old. Carmella went right back to the attack, though, pounding on Charlotte as Charlotte covered up. She then put her in a surf board and shouted, “All day, baby!” The crowd grew restless. Charlotte made a comeback and worked over Carmella with consistent offense, but the crowd wasn’t all that engaged or invested in Charlotte specifically or the match in general.Carmella avoided a boot on the ring apron and then yanked Charlotte down. She then yanked on Charlotte’s arm and leg around the ringpost. Charlotte hit a sudden spear out of the corner to stop Carmella’s attack. She went for the figure-four, but Carmella blocked it and then applied her Code of Silence (head scissors with a twist). Charlotte stood out of it, but Carmella turned it into a victory roll. Charlotte kicked out and landed a kick. Charlotte regrouped after the kickout by Carmella. She went for a top rope moonsault, but Carmella avoided it. Charlotte sold a knee injury upon landing and then kicked her knee for behind then jackknife pinned her for the win.

WINNER: Carmella in 9:00 to retain the WWE Smackdown Women’s Title. (*1/4)

(Keller’s Analysis: I didn’t expect that. I understand there are more credible babyfaces than heels on Smackdown, so having a heel champion in a generic sense is a sound strategy, but Charlotte presumably is a challenge eventually for Ronda Rousey, and she’s the one who ended Asuka’s streak, and this loss really is a step back for the perception of what level of star she is. I can only assume this means they’re planning to turn her heel, at which point she can be rebuilt and her loss can be an excuse for regaining her edge because she’ll claim she got soft. This was on the lower end of what I was fearing from this match.)

-A video package aired on the Shinsuke Nakamura turn on A.J. Styles.

(Keller’s Analysis: This means that Roman Reigns vs. Samoa Joe is the likely final match. Reigns, not part of a title match, was featured front and center in the Backlash posters WWE published, so this isn’t a shock. I suppose the Braun Strowman tag match could conclude the show, too, but either way it’s a bit of a knock on the stature of the WWE Title that it’s not headlining the show.)

(On another note, Shinsuke Nakamura’s new theme has to be inpsired by PaRappa the Rapper’s theme, right? Cue to 2:15 and listen to 3:00 where it’s eerily similar, right?)

(6) A.J. STYLES vs. SHINSUKE NAKAMURA – WWE Title match

During ring introductions, Phillips noted that this is Nakamura’s fifth attempt at the WWE Title. Styles got one of the bigger pops of the night. They almost got into it before the formal ring introductions. As soon as the bell rang, Nakamura rolled to the floor and stretched his arms. Nakamura is hilarious as a heel. When Styles chased him, Nakamura entered the ring and called for him. He tried to knee him as Styles began to enter, but Styles moved. Styles yanked Nakamura to the floor and threw him into the ringside barricade. Styles suplexed Nakamura. Nakamura chopped Styles in the throat to take over briefly. Styles took over again after catching Styles with a dropkick. Styles threw Nakamura into the ringside barricade. Styles charged at Nakamura and landed a Stinger splash against the barricade. Nakamura avoided a Styles charge at ringside and then took over. Nakamura gave Styles a running knee as Styles was draped over the edge of the ring apron. He then hit another knee that sent Styles flipping to the floor. Back in the ring and went for a fast cover and scored a two count. And another. Then he stomped on Styles in the corner with is “good vibrations” spot, which is now “bad vibrations.” When Styles got up, Nakamura welcomed him to chop his chest, then round kicked Styles in the head. Styles went down. Nice kick. Nakamura backdropped Styles, then stood on his chest to get a one point. Saxton said it was disrespectful. Nakamura drove knees into the head of Styles on the mat. A minute later he flying dropkicked Styles who went sailing to ringside.

Nakamura threw Styles into the time keeper’s area. When Nakamura charges, Styles caught him with a forearm. But when Styles springboarded out of the area, Nakamura kicked him off balance. Back in the ring, Nakamura applied a sleeper. Styles stood, so Nakamura went for a suplex, but Styles flipped out of it and landed on his feet. Styles then hit Nakamura with a forearm. When he went for the Phenomenal Forearm, Nakamura knocked him off balance and gave him a running knee in the corner. Nakamura then hit a flying knee for a two count. He followed by delivering a landslide (sitout powerbomb out of a fireman’s carry).  Nakamura kicked at Styles until he knocked him to the floor. He walked behind the announce tables and grabbed a chair. He methodically waited for Styles to stand, but when he swung, Styles ducked and lifted him onto his shoulders. Nakamura slipped out and landed a kick. He moved the chair to the right spot in the ring, then put Styles onto the chair hard with a reverse exploder suplex. When Nakamura went for a high knee, Styles threw a chair at him. The chair bounced off of Nakamura’s knee, but it went right back into Styles’s head. Styles ended up cut and bled from the left side of his face.

Styles applied a Calf Crusher. Nakamura countered into a triangle. Styles countered into Styles Clash position, but Nakamura grabbed the ropes and tumbled to safety at ringside. Styles went to slingshot himself, but Nakamura returned to the ring. Styles gave Nakamura flying forearm to the abc of his head. Next he delivered a Pelé kick. Nakamura countered with a low blow. Styles this time fired back with a low blow of his own. The crowd cheered. Both went down and were slow to get up. Styles threw some elbows, but Nakamura countered with a headbutt. Then they both low-blowed each other at the same time and both went down. The ref counted both men down for a ten count and called the match. The crowd didn’t like the finish.

WINNER: No contest in 21:00 so Styles retained the WWE Title. (***1/2)

(Keller’s Analysis: Flat finish, especially for a no DQ match where the stip seems specifically designed to ensure a decisive finish. That also explains why this match didn’t finish the show. Can you imagine that finish being the final scene of the event? The match itself was good, but not four stars, especially with that finish. Maybe with a better finish you could make the case, although the no DQ stip was barely utilized – at least not in the way fans have come to expect.)

-They aired the dual-brand PPV rap commercial.

(Keller’s Analysis: Entrance for the tag match began at 10:45. Is there a good reason WWE isn’t starting these PPVs at 7 ET instead of 8 ET, like they did back in the early 1990s and earlier? It was Sunday Night Heat that led to PPVs starting an hour later, if I recall, and I think it makes a lot more sense to start early than end later. It’s not family friendly and oblivious to the hours of most working people headed into Monday.)

How do you feel about WWE PPVs lasting past 11 ET? #Backlash #WWE #WWENetwork

— Pro Wrestling Torch (@PWTorch) May 7, 2018

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Send me questions and comments about WWE Backlash for the Post-PPV “Wade Keller Hotline” VIP Podcast later tonight: askwadekeller@gmail.com. #Backlash

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(7) BRAUN STROWMAN & BOBBY LASHLEY vs. KEVIN OWENS & SAMI ZAYN

Braun came out to his music, then Lashley came out to his. KO and Sami came out to Sami’s music. Lashley opened against Owens. He ran into KO’d boot, but recovered and landed a swinging neckbreaker. Owens tagged in Sami, who charged at Lashley. Lashley leapfrogged Sami and then punched him. A couple minutes later Sami tagged in KO who prevented Lashley from tagging in Braun. Braun stomped the mat and reached for the hot tag and this time Lashley reached him. Strowman entered to a flat pop and clotheslined KO. Then he smashed KO in the corner with a charge. He chased after Sami at ringside, checking KO hard as he ran past him, and then he knocked Sami hard into the barricade. He ran back after KO and punched him.

Back in the ring, Braun charged at KO. KO avoided his charge and Braun went shoulder-first into the post. Sami tagged in and went for the Helluva kick right away, but Braun picked him and went for a slam. Sami slipped free and tried to run. KO stopped him. Sami called for them to leave. KO asked where  he was going and he shoved him. “We stay and we fight!” he said. “You and me!” Sami threw KO into the ring. KO turned and asked Sami, “What?!” Braun gave KO a forearm to the chest. KO rolled to the floor. Sami said, “See? Some on.” KO threw Sami back into the ring. Sami grabbed KO onto the ring apron. KO shoved Sami. Sami slapped KO. Sami said he got carried away. KO entered the ring. Sami rolled out of the ring. KO said, “You slap me and then you leave?” Braun smashed Owens in the corner. Lashley the hit a spinebuster. Lashley gave Owens a delayed vertical suplex and scored the pin.

WINNERS: Lashley & Strowman.

-After the match Owens asked for mercy. Braun gave Owens a running powerslam as Sami asked him not to from ringside. Sami checked on Owens at ringside as Owens lay on the mat. Braun grabbed Sami and threw him into the ring where he gave Sami a powerslam.

(Keller’s Analysis: That looked like a step toward a Kevin Owens babyface turn. Sami was definitely the heel there. The match wasn’t much, basically what you might see on a Smackdown main event where it felt by the end that the match was just filling time adequately until the angle took place.)

-A video package aired on Samoa Joe-Roman Reigns.

(8) SAMOA JOE vs. ROMAN REIGNS

The announcers talked about how polarizing Reigns is. There didn’t seem to be a loud reaction for Reigns either way, so either they’re lowering the crowd noise for his ring entrance (because apparently any reaction isn’t a good thing) or the crowd is just outright losing interest in reacting to him either way (which is worse). The announcers said Reigns says he isn’t losing confidence in himself. Reigns raised his arms in the ring and received some boos. Joe jump-started the match with a headbutt before the bell. “Joe!” chants began. They fought at ringside. Joe threw Reigns into the ringside barricade. Joe ducked a Reign punch and gave Reigns a urinage onto the Spanish announce table. The table collapsed. When Reigns stood, Joe immediately threw him into the ringside barricade. Some fans chanted “Joe! Joe!” again.  When Joe threw Reigns into the ring, fans sang “Joe’s gonna kill you.”

The match officially began. Joe settled into a key lock. A “Let’s Go Roman! / Roman Sucks!” dueling chant broke out. Joe had Reigns grounded for several minutes. Reigns eventually escaped and made a comeback. When Joe cut it short, more cheers and than boos. Joe scored a two count. Coach said Joe might be the quickest big man they’ve seen in a long time. Graves said he’s been that way a long time. (I wondered if Vince McMahon cringed a bit since that’s a talking point about Braun.) Joe settled into another chinlock. The crowd got restless. Reigns punched his way out of it. Joe snapped Reigns’s neck over the top rope and then dove through the ropes onto Reigns, leading with a forearm. The camera nearly missed everything. Cole said it was almost like a jumbo jet crashing onto Reigns. Joe put Reigns back in the ring and scored a two count that nobody believed. Joe went back to a key lock. The crowd chanted, “This is boring!” They booed. (What are they thinking? They’re either having a deliberately boring match or they’re pacing themselves for a 60 minute draw, neither of which the crowd is going to embrace.)

Reigns punched out of the hold. Joe punched back. Reigns gave Joe a boot to the face. Reigns rolled to the floor and favored his left arm. Then he hit a Drive By kick. Reigns went for another Drive By, but Joe avoided it and went for a Coquina. Reigns escaped and hit a Superman Punch. More restlessness from the crowd who seemed to be sticking around mostly to protest chant. Next came “Rusev Day!” which was the loudest of the match. Reigns landed a spear and raised his fingers and counted with the ref, but Joe draped his leg on the bottom rope to stop the count. Both were slow to get up. After another sequence, Joe went for and this time applied a Coquina Clutch with a body scissors. Cole said Reigns was fading. Reigns looked out of it. Reigns then suddenly woke up. It didn’t have the desired effect, as the crowd erupted in boos. Graves said maybe the ref could have called it a few seconds earlier.

Joe grabbed Reigns after a minute of rest and lifted him onto the top rope. He set up a Muscle Buster. Reigns fought against it and then surprised Joe with a spear for the clean pin. They cut to one guy in the front row dressed in Ultimate Warrior merchandise who was excited. Then they cut to a wide shot of the crowd and they looked to be disgustingly standing and turning to leave, not staying to cheer or even boo.

WINNER: Reigns in 18:00. (DUD)

(Keller’s Analysis: I don’t even know what to say anymore about how Vince McMahon is booking Reigns. It’s not working really on any level and it’s just difficult to watch.)

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