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Add FightsATW on GoogleThe Italian takeover continued in Bologna, Italy, for WWE SmackDown at the Unipol Arena following Sunday’s ‘Clash in Italy’ and RAW the following night/afternoon for those watching Stateside on Netflix. Sunday’s PLE opened with Cody Rhodes successfully defending his WWE world title against Gunther, broadcast free on ESPN—similar to the way WrestleMania 42 was broadcast on the ESPN App, with the first hour of the show airing on the network’s terrestrial channel.
Cody won the match, but the narrative continued regarding the champ’s ‘A-side advantages’ leading to him retaining. Gunther managed to get his leg under the rope, but instead of the ref calling for a rope break, the match ended in a 1-2-3 pinfall. For months, dating back to last year, Cody has walked this line of being a face while resorting to ‘whatever it takes’ that blurs the line between veteran tactics and straight-up working heel.
CODY KEEPS IT GOING… GUNTHER CALLS BS, SAMI BRINGS RECEIPTS
After the conclusion of their world championship match, you knew the saga between Cody and Gunther was not yet finished, and the ‘I didn’t lose’ storyline allowed Sami Zayn to enter the chat. After Cody came out to address Gunther’s issues, Sami came out shortly after to double down on the champion’s theme that divides the line between face and heel.
Gunther tried to squash Sami’s promo, but he reminded the former HW champion that he had pinned Gunther for a title in the past, and the Canadian-born wrestler was winning the promo battle. Sami made it clear that he wants the next title opportunity, and Cody made statements suggesting that Zayn would be next if he successfully defended against Gunther.
Gunther pushed Cody into Sami to get the jump on everyone in the ring, and by the time things were squared away, it was Cody offering his hand to Sami. However, Zayn looked down at Cody’s extended hand before simply walking off on the champ.
Aldis confronted Cody’s request for a title rematch against Gunther in a program way too similar to what the champ did with Drew McIntyre. Gunther accepted the rematch while somehow getting to pick the stipulation and making the champ wait to learn the stakes. Cody quickly did the math and said that if he announces the stipulation next week, he expects the match in two weeks, when SD is live in Kansas City.
CHAD GABLE IS BACK
Later, in the back, Sami was complaining to GM Aldis about ‘being blown off’ whenever he is in line for opportunities. Aldis told Sami to ‘stay out’ of Cody-Gunther business, telling the disgruntled superstar that they would have to speak about it later. Sami accused Aldis of blowing him off again before asking who could be more important right now.
That is when the camera panned out to reveal Chad Gable in a suit (and out of the El Grande Americano gimmick) to Sami’s surprise. Aldis and Gable walked into the closed-door meeting.
Later in the show, Gable was seen approaching Rey Fenix fresh off his AAA Cruiserweight title over Laredo Kidd at Saturday’s Mask vs. Mask show. Gable apologized to Fenix for his gimmick that led to their match at last year’s WM, and even though Fenix accepted the apology, he reminded Gable that he was not the ‘only one offended.’
QUEEN OF THE RING QUALIFIER: RAQUEL RODRIGUEZ VS BAYLEY VS KIANNA JAMES VS JACY JAYNE—Fatal Four-Way
It can be argued that triple threats and fatal four-way matches as qualifiers for tournaments with continuity, like the King of the Ring, are simply lazy booking, but after a week of qualifiers, these matches have been booked well. After Oba Femi’s amazing performance in his KOTR qualifier, the bar was set for these matches.
Giulia was unable to win her qualifier on Monday, but she made her presence felt in this match, causing confusion between her and James. Giulia has maintained some of the biggest pops while in Italy, her home country, but has failed to win a single match during this leg. After Rodriguez secured the win and advanced to the QOTR semi-finals, James confronted Giulia about her loss, and the hometown star finally came out on top in a TV segment. Giulia stood up for herself to James and essentially turned face in the process.
KING OF THE RING QUALIFIER: TRICK WILLIAMS V DOM MYSTERIO V BRON BREAKKER V DAMIAN PRIEST—Fatal Four Way
This was one of the more stacked qualifying fatal four-way matches in the King of the Ring bracket as U.S. champion Trick Williams came in riding some serious momentum alongside AAA Mega Champion Dom. Yet, if anyone can use a boost, it is Breakker, fresh off his loss to Seth Rollins in the main event of this week’s RAW.
Their main event match felt like a PLE as Rollins and Breakker battled it out in front of one of the hottest crowds this year. Rollins picked up the win while Paul Heyman was accidentally speared into the barrier by a remorseful Breakker. Priest felt like the least likely to emerge with the win, but he was also the only one in the match that could be called a ‘former heavyweight champion.’
In the end, Priest was positioned to win before Liv Morgan jumped in the ring to hit the former leader of The Judgment Day with a low blow, allowing Dom to pick up the win. Dom will now face Oba Femi in the semi-finals, with the winner advancing to the KOTR finals.
JUDGEMENT DAY PROBLEMS… AGAIN
The drama never ends with this group, even when it is unintended. Fans have been criticizing the Queen of the Ring brackets after Liv Morgan was placed into the tournament despite being the RAW brand women’s champion. In a tourney that crowns a number-one contender, it does not make sense to include the champion who has yet to defend the title in a meaningful feud—Liv won the title from Stephanie Vaquer at Mania.
Liv was claiming that her and Dom would make the ‘cutest King and Queen,’ but that prompted Raquel fresh off her win to question Liv’s statement considering she apparently promised Raquel that her road to the crown was clear and approved. This is a similar narrative to Roxanne Perez’s own issues with Liv and the same storyline that led Finn Balor away from the group.
DANHAUSEN IN THE LAB
Rumors have been circulating that Barron Corbin will return to WWE at some point this summer, and Dave Meltzer has speculated that he will be working with Danhausen. Currently, Danhausen is working a ‘Dr. Frankenstein-type storyline where he uses background segments to illustrate the development of his ‘monster.’
In tonight’s segment, The Miz was electrocuted by Housen’s machinery while on the phone with Kit Wilson. There were no major hints or easter eggs within the segment, so Corbin remains speculative while also fitting the WWE blueprint for returning wrestlers.
RHEA RIPLEY
The world champ delivered a solo promo to open her segment, ruminating on the program between herself and Jade Cargill that culminated in a winning effort over the heels. It was a segment begging for a major program-launching feud, but we got the same thing we have been getting out of the women’s division—an overbooked, bloated storyline leading to a multi-women’s match.
One by one, beginning with Charlotte Flair, a superstar from the women’s roster came out to stake their claim at a future world championship match against Rhea. Flair and women’s U.S. champ Tiffany Stratton both vowed to win the Queen of the Ring tourney, which guarantees the crown holder a SummerSlam title shot.
FLAIR & STRATTON VS JADE & MICHIN—Tag Team Match
The tag match was booked by Aldis not long after Jade and company came out ringside, but since Bliss was not in attendance and Rhea was not cleared following her last match, we got Flair and Stratton working towards a common goal. Cargill picked up the pinfall victory for her team over Stratton in a clean finish in an otherwise distracting matchup.
ROYCE KEYES IS BEING RUINED ALREADY???
Royce Keyes debuted for WWE at this year’s Royal Rumble after it was announced he had signed with the company. After the Rumble, Keyes was placed on ice with reports that he was being positioned for a major push and considered a star with major potential. That push would not come for months as he was slowly introduced to the WWE audience.
Tonight, he faced Talla Tonga after a very slow-burning sub story was being told between Royce and Solo, the leader of the MFTs. After the MFTs faction was gutted in half, the microscope on the remaining roster members has increased slightly. Talla Tonga defeated Keyes in the singles match with Solo’s help. It is clear that a program between Keyes and Solo is developing, but losing to Talla Tonga could place Keyes in difficult place to get over from considering he has not had much success outside of tonight.
RICKY SAINTS VS CARMELO HAYES—Singles Match
In a match pitting the company’s future against one another, Melo Hayes and Ricky Saints squared off in singles action. It was a solid match, though Saints is still working on his chemistry with SD’s roster. Melo has consistently provided SmackDown fans with banger after banger, especially in his U.S. title era, but he was unsuccessful in tonight’s match after Saints picked up the win by pulling the tights during the pinfall.
OTHER TIDBITS
– Lash Legend defeated former women’s U.S. champion Chelsea Green in singles action tonight.
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