WWE Backlash 2025

By Steve Ward

The fallout from WrestleMania 41 culminated this evening in St. Louis, Missouri as WWE presented Backlash from the Enterprise Arena. This evening’s card featured five bouts with four holding a title in the balance and was headlined by John Cena defending his Universal Championship against Randy Orton.

United States Championship Fatal Four Way

Jacob Fatu (c) vs. Drew McIntyre vs. Damian Priest vs. LA Knight

Winner: Jacob Fatu via pinfall

 

The tempo of this match remained at a fever pitch throughout. Late in the contest, Priest took both himself and Drew McIntyre out of the match after delivering a South of Heaven from the top of a sound crate through a pair of tables. LA Knight then laid Fatu out on the announce table and scaled to the top rope. First, Solo Sikoa emerged to pull Fatu out of harm’s way. As Knight pursued Solo, he was blindsided by an unknown assailant soon revealed as Jeff Cobb! Knight was then thrown into the ring and served up for Fatu to put him away.

 

Women’s Intercontinental Championship

Becky Lynch vs. Lyra Valkyria (c)

Winner: Lyra Valkyria via pinfall

 

These two women teamed up at WrestleMania to claim the Women’s Tag Team Championship only to lose them 24 hours later on RAW. This caused The Man to reveal her true colors and lay waste to Lyra leading us to tonight’s encounter. Both women pulled out all stops but, in the end, Lyra withstood multiple Manhandle Slams, the Disarm Her, and an exposed turnbuckle to end up winning with a pinfall reversal.

 

WWE Intercontinental Championship

Dominik Mysterio (c) vs. Penta

Winner: Dominik Mysterio via pinfall

 

After Penta was cost his chance at claiming the Intercontinental Championship on RAW recently, he was granted another opportunity tonight. Late in the match, The Judgement Day tried to get involved only to be stopped by the referee and banned from ringside. While the referee was still distracted, El Grande Americano emerged to headbutt Penta with a loaded mask. This set the stage for Mysterio to hit the frogsplash and seal his victory.

 

Gunther vs. Pat McAfee

Winner: Gunther via submission

 

The night following WrestleMania Gunther took exception to the commentary being delivered by Michael Cole and Pat McAfee and assaulted the two. That prompted McAfee to call out Gunther bringing us to tonight. McAfee made the match interesting and received a little help in the form of outside interference from Michael Cole, but in the end, Gunther put him away with the Sleeper Hold.

 

WWE Universal Championship

Randy Orton vs. John Cena (c)

Winner: John Cena via pinfall

 

John Cena and Randy Orton resumed their 25-year rivalry tonight in Orton’s hometown for possibly the last time with Cena’s new Universal Championship on the line. Randy Orton controlled most of the match and seemed poised to win his 15th world championship until Cena decked the referee inadvertently with the title. In the closing minutes, Orton had Cena squared up for the punt only to be stopped by the man who calls Cena his childhood hero despite being older than him, R-Truth. R-Truth promptly received an RKO for his efforts. As Orton yelled at Truth, who had rolled out to the arena floor, Cena delivered a low blow to Randy. Cena then finished Orton off with a shot to the head with the Universal Championship and pinned him just in time for the referee to recover and count the pinfall.

AC Boxing Scene Alive and Thriving

By Frank Bartolini

Professional boxing in Atlantic City has often been written off as dead. But that message clearly didn’t reach the over 10,000 fans who packed the Convention Center on the boardwalk to witness Jaron “Boots” Ennis successfully defend his World Welterweight Championship, in an event promoted by Matchroom Boxing.

Ennis, a Philadelphia native, delivered the most dominant performance of his career, dismantling Eimantas Stanionis in six rounds. Philadelphia, known for embracing its champions, showed up in full force—many clad in Eagles Super Bowl gear—to support their hometown hero.

Using sharp left jabs to the head and body, Ennis opened up Stanionis for a brutal body assault. Switching to a southpaw stance at times, Ennis demonstrated his versatility and ferocity. Though he absorbed a few hooks, Ennis responded with a relentless wave of punches that eventually overwhelmed the tough and resilient Lithuanian challenger.

In the sixth round, Ennis targeted Stanionis’ midsection with a punishing barrage. Grimacing in pain, Stanionis backed into the corner, clearly hurt. Sensing the moment, Ennis landed three consecutive left uppercuts to the chin of a hunched-over opponent. Stanionis crumbled to the canvas but courageously got back to his feet and survived the round.

Back in his corner, concern was etched on the faces of his team. As the ringside physician, referee, and head trainer assessed his condition, a decision was made to stop the fight. The trainer called it off, and with agreement from the doctor and referee, the bout was officially ended. Though suffering his first professional loss, Stanionis (now 15–1, 9 KOs) earned respect for his grit and heart.

With this emphatic victory, Ennis (now 34–0, 30 KOs) firmly established himself as the king of the 147-pound division. However, challenges remain. Super lightweight champion Teofimo Lopez has publicly called him out, and undefeated fighters Devin Haney and Brian Norman Jr. are also being floated as potential opponents. Still, it would be fitting if Ennis cleaned out the welterweight division before moving up in weight. This writer’s dream matchup? A clash between Ennis and Gervonta “Tank” Davis—a Philly vs. Baltimore showdown that would electrify fans across the boxing world.

Don’t believe the doubters—the Atlantic City fight scene is far from dead. Just two weeks before the Ennis-Stanionis bout, Larry Goldberg’s BoxingInsider Promotions hosted a six-fight card at the Tropicana Casino & Hotel. Headlining the event was local favorite Justin Figueroa, a junior middleweight and standout former high school athlete. Over 1,500 fans filled the venue—hardly the sign of a fading boxing town.

Back in 2015, Atlantic City’s boxing future looked bleak. The city was in economic decline, with multiple casinos shuttered and others demolished. Professional boxing came to a near halt. That’s when welterweight contender Thomas “Cornflake” LaManna took a bold step—promoting boxing himself to keep the sport alive in the “City by the Sea.”

LaManna’s efforts reignited the local boxing scene. His initiative inspired other promoters, leading to a resurgence that now boasts more than 20 fight cards a year on the boardwalk. A veteran of 45 professional bouts, LaManna’s own career continues as he prepares to face former super welterweight and middleweight champion Jermall Charlo in a 10-round bout on May 31 at the Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas.

Thanks to fighters like Ennis and LaManna, and the passionate fanbase that continues to show up, Atlantic City remains a vital part of the boxing world. The scene isn’t dying—it’s thriving.

WWE WrestleMania 41 Night Two

By Steve Ward

WrestleMania 41 weekend continued this evening from Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada with night two. The card again featured seven bouts with four titles contested and was capped off by Cody Rhodes defending his Undisputed WWE Championship against John Cena.

 

WWE Women’s World Championship 

Iyo Sky (c) vs. Rhea Ripley vs. Bianca Belair

Winner: Iyo Sky via pinfall

 

Bianca Belair punched her ticket to WrestleMania after winning the Elimination Chamber last month. Things only became more complicated the next night on RAW when Iyo Sky defeated Rhea Ripley for her championship. With Ripley entitled to a rematch, that brings us to our triple threat encounter tonight. In the closing moments, it appeared Belair was poised to take the title after she viciously whipped her with her hair and then hit the Kiss of Death. As Belair attempted the pinfall, Iyo Sky flew in out of nowhere landing an Over the Moonsault on both women and then covered Belair for the win.

 

Sin City Street Fight

Drew McIntyre vs. Damian Priest

Winner: Drew McIntyre via pinfall 

 

This bitter rivalry began at last year’s WrestleMania when Damian Priest cashed in his Money In the Bank briefcase and defeated McIntyre for the World Heavyweight Championship just moments after he won it from Seth Rollins. Since then, McIntyre has blamed Priest for his inability to regain championship gold. This rivalry would come to a head tonight in a Sin City Street Fight. Priest appeared in control after he put McIntyre through a table with a Razor’s Edge until he attempted the Undertaker’s Old School. As Priest walked the ropes, McIntyre shoved him off and he plunged to the floor and through two tables. McIntyre then propped up Priest’s head against a chair wedged into the turnbuckles and delivered a devastating Claymore Kick to seal the victory.

 

WWE Intercontinental Championship Fatal Four Way Match

Bron Breakker (c) vs. Finn Balor vs. Penta vs. Dominik Mysterio 

Winner: Dominik Mysterio via pinfall 

 

This fast-paced, intense bout ended in shocking fashion. Finn Balor appeared in a prime position to win the title as he delivered the Coup de Grace on Bron Breakker. As Balor covered him for the pinfall, Dominik Mysterio landed a frog splash on top of both men and proceeded to cover his own Judgment Day cohort, Balor, for the pinfall.

 

Open Challenge

Randy Orton vs. Joe Hendry 

Winner: Randy Orton via pinfall 

 

Randy Orton was originally scheduled to face Kevin Owens until Owens announced he needed neck surgery. Orton, insistent on performing at his 20th WrestleMania, held an open challenge. The challenge would be accepted by TNA World Champion Joe Hendry. Hendry was able to mount some offense but, in the end, he was smiling for the camera only to become the recipient of an RKO Out of Nowhere.

 

AJ Styles vs. Logan Paul

Winner: Logan Paul via pinfall

 

Late in the match, a member of Logan Paul’s entourage appeared at ringside with brass knuckles. Karrion Kross then emerged from the crowd to confiscate the brass knuckles. Kross next offered them to Styles who tossed them aside and knocked Kross out. Styles proceeded to miss a Phenomenal Forearm attempt on Paul and received a Titanium Fist to the jaw followed by the Pulverizer costing him the match.

 

Women’s Tag Team Championship 

Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez (c) vs. Lyra Valkyria & Becky Lynch

Winners: Lyra Valkyria & Becky Lynch via pinfall

 

Bayley was supposed to team with Valkyria, however, she was attacked yesterday and unable to compete. The roof was nearly blown off of Allegiant Stadium when Valkyria’s partner was introduced as none other than Becky Lynch!  The closing moments of the match saw Becky Lynch hit the Manhandle Slam on Liv Morgan allowing her to score the pinfall.

 

Prior to the main event, Stone Cold Steve Austin rode an ATV to the ring to announce the attendance and drank several Steveweisers.

 

WWE Undisputed Championship 

Cody Rhodes (c) vs. John Cena

Winner: John Cena via pinfall

 

John Cena punched his ticket into the main event of WrestleMania after he emerged victorious from the Elimination Chamber last month - the same night he sided with The Rock to deliver a beatdown of Cody Rhodes and completing one of the most shocking heel turns ever. Late in the match, Cody appeared to be building momentum when Travis Scott made his way to the ring. First, Cody attempted a pinfall only to have referee Chad Patton dragged from the ring by Scott. Rhodes then baited Scott into the ring where he delivered a Cross Rhodes. With Scott out of the picture, Cena attempted to strike Cody with the championship only to have Rhodes intercept him. Rhodes held the title and instead of using it on Cena, he hesitated and received a shot between the legs. Cena finally put Rhodes down with a shot to the head using the championship and pinned him to win his record 17th World Championship.

WWE WrestleMania 41 Night One

By Steve Ward

WrestleMania 41 emanated from Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada with a seven match card for night one to kick off the weekend. Among the bouts, four titles were contested with a triple threat affair featuring Roman Reigns, CM Punk, and Seth Rollins headlining the show.

World Heavyweight Championship

Gunther (c) vs. Jey Uso

Winner: Jey Uso via submission

 

Following Jey Uso’s win at this year’s Royal Rumble, he elected to challenge “The Ring General” Gunther for the World Heavyweight Championship at the Showcase of the Immortals. This bout was a hard-hitting slugfest from bell to bell as both men pulled out every move in their playbooks and even hit each other’s finishers on one another. In the end, it took three consecutive Uso Splashes followed by a rear naked choke to earn the submission victory.

 

World Tag Team Championship

The War Raiders (c) vs. The New Day

Winners: The New Day via pinfall

 

The War Raiders seemed poised to retain their titles as they manhandled The New Day for a majority of the match. In the final moments, Xavier Woods was being set up to receive the War Machine until Ivar was pulled through the ropes to the arena floor by Kingston as Woods drew the referee’s attention. The New Day then executed Daylight to steal the titles.

 

Jade Cargill vs. Naomi

Winner: Jade Cargill via pinfall

 

After it was revealed at the Elimination Chamber last month that Naomi, and not Liv and Raquel, took Jade out of action in November following a brutal attack in the parking garage, the two have entered a bitter rivalry that would come to a head tonight. At the conclusion of this beatdown, Jade achieved her measure of revenge as she hit a vicious power bomb and immediately followed it with Jaded to earn the pinfall victory.

 

WWE United States Championship

LA Knight (c) vs. Jacob Fatu

Winner: Jacob Fatu via pinfall

 

Despite LA Knight’s attempts to mount offense, his efforts had little effect on Fatu as he at many times seemed impervious to pain. In the end, Fatu hit back to back moonsaults to claim victory and his first WWE gold.

 

El Grande Americano (Chad Gable) vs. Rey Fénix

Winner: El Grande Americano via pinfall

 

For months, Chad Gable found himself tormented with his inability to defeat any luchadors. This prompted Gable to take a trek to Mexico where he purchased a mysterious box from an old man with unknown contents. Coincidentally, a “new” luchador named El Grande Americano debuted shortly thereafter and immediately targeted Rey Mysterio and the LWO. Rey Mysterio was originally scheduled to compete until he was injured on Friday and was not cleared to compete. This opened the door for Rey Fénix to make his WrestleMania debut. The two competitors put forth a very entertaining high-flying effort. Late in the contest, El Grande Americano slipped a metal plate into his mask which would prove to be the swinging factor in the bout. First, Fénix injured his foot after walking the ropes and kicking Americano in the face. Moments later, Fénix dove from the top rope, however, Americano sidestepped and head butt Fénix. Finally, Americano ascended to the top turnbuckle and delivered a flying headbutt to cement his victory.

 

WWE Women’s Championship

Tiffany Stratton (c) vs. Charlotte Flair

Winner: Tiffany Stratton via pinfall

 

Charlotte Flair made her return from a serious knee injury and the Royal Rumble and was able to claim victory and punch her ticket to WrestleMania. Flair elected to square off with Tiffany Stratton who has drawn many comparisons to Flair throughout her early career. In a sadly sloppy affair, Tiffany Stratton shockingly retained her title after she landed the Prettiest Moonsault Ever in the final moments of the match.

 

Roman Reigns vs. CM Punk w/ Paul Heyman vs. Seth Rollins

Winner: Seth Rollins via pinfall

Back at Survivor Series, CM Punk agreed to join Roman Reigns’ team in exchange for a favor from Paul Heyman. Punk recently cashed in that favor and said that he wanted Paul Heyman in his corner for WrestleMania - which Heyman obliged. That brings us to tonight. This match appeared to be anyone’s fight until the final minutes when Paul Heyman finally made his presence felt. With all three men incapacitated, Heyman slid a steel chair to Punk who was face to face with Reigns. Heyman then climbed into the ring behind Punk and as Punk rose the chair to strike Reigns, Heyman struck Punk between the uprights. The Wiseman then delivered the chair to Reigns for use on Seth Rollins. As Reigns raised the chair up set to strike, Heyman delivered yet another low blow this time to The Tribal Chief. Heyman handed the chair off one last time to Seth Rollins who delivered a vicious chair shot to Reigns followed by the Stomp to seal his victory.

WWE Elimination Chamber 2025

By Steve Ward

WWE ventured north of the border to the Rogers Center in Toronto, Canada tonight for the final stop on the Road to WrestleMania - Elimination Chamber. The card featured four matches with two Elimination Chamber matches headlining the card, one for the women and one for the men, with the respective winners punching their tickets to a world championship bout on the Showcase of the Immortals.

 

Women’s Elimination Chamber

Bayley vs. Naomi vs. Alexa Bluss vs. Roxanne Perez vs. Bianca Belair vs. Liv Morgan

Winner: Bianca Belair

 

The stakes were high in the opening bout of the evening as the winner of the Women’s Elimination Chamber would earn at shot at the Women’s World Champion at WrestleMania 41. The first two participants were Morgan and Naomi, however, before the match began, Jade Cargill made her long-awaited return and viciously attacked Naomi! It was believed that Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez were the culprits of the attack that put her out of action, but I guess we have our answer now. Naomi was ruled out of the match and Belair was the next to enter. The fourth competitor to enter the match was Roxanne Perez. With all three women in the ring incapacitated following a brutal melee, Bayley was the fourth to enter the match. After Alexa Bliss made her way into the match, it didn’t take long for the next elimination as Morgan hit Oblivion on Bayley to allow her to earn the pinfall. Roxanne Perez was next to go as she fell victim to a Codebreaker from Morgan and then the Twisted Bliss from Alexa. Bliss was the next eliminated after delivering Sister Abigail to Belair only to find herself on the receiving end of a roll up pin from Liv. Moments later, Belair hit the KOD to punch her ticket to WrestleMania.

 

Trish Stratus & Tiffany Stratton vs. Nia Jax & Candice LeRae

Winners: Trish Stratus & Tiffany Stratton 

 

Nia Jax dominated much of this match, but we knew Trish wouldn’t lose in her hometown. In the closing moments, Trish hit a bulldog on Nia Jax from the turnbuckle and tagged in Tiffany Stratton who, moments later, hit the Prettiest Moonsault Ever to seal the victory. 

 

Unsanctioned Match

Sami Zayn vs. Kevin Owens

Winner: Kevin Owens

 

As a result of the package piledriver that nearly broke Zayn’s neck at the hands of Owens just a matter of weeks ago, WWE would not “medically clear” Zayn to compete - hence the unsanctioned match. By the end of this match, which lasted a little too long, there were broken tables and chairs littering the arena as a reminder of the chaos that had taken place. Kevin Owens finally put Zayn out of his misery following multiple power bombs on the ring apron.

 

After the match, Owens was going to package piledrive Zayn on the concrete floor only to be interrupted by the returning Randy Orton. Orton delivered an RKO and was going to follow up with a punt to the cranium of Owens before WWE officials stepped in.

 

Men’s Elimination Chamber

Seth Rollins vs. C.M. Punk vs. John Cena vs. Drew McIntyre vs. Logan Paul vs. Damian Priest

Winner: John Cena

 

Another high stakes bout set the stage for the main event as the winner of the Men’s Elimination Chamber would earn a shot against Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship at WrestleMania 41. The first combatants in the match were Seth Rollins and Drew McIntyre. The third man to enter the fray was Damian Priest with Logan Paul and John Cena to follow. McIntyre seemed poised to eliminate Cena as Priest had other plans and rolled him up for the elimination. McIntyre lost it and took out Priest leaving him vulnerable to Logan Paul who delivered a splash from the top of one of the pods to put him away. Moments later, Punk entered the match and delivered the Go To Sleep to Logan Paul to eliminate him. The next man to go was Seth Rollins after a Go To Sleep from Punk and an Attitude Adjustment from Cena allowed Punk to cover Rollins. In the closing moments, Rollins made his way back into the chamber to deliver a stomp to Punk’s head, on the steel platform surrounding the ring, allowing Cena to cinch in the STF for the submission victory.

 

The Rock confronted Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes and John Cena in the ring following the main event to see if Cody would accept his offer to become his champion and “sell him his soul.” Cody told The Rock to go “F” himself (which was shockingly unedited). John Cena then embraced Cody as if to congratulate him for standing up to “The Final Boss” when The Rock gave the cutthroat sign to Cena who made a massive heel turn by kicking Rhodes between the uprights and left him a bloody mess in the ring to end the show.

Winter Memories

By Frank Bartolini

New York City is nicknamed “The Big Apple.” During the holiday season on Manhattan Island, that piece of fruit sizzles—no matter how low the thermometer dips. Tourists from around the globe pose for a memory by the iconic evergreen decked out in Christmas regalia at Rockefeller Center. Macy’s lights up Herald Square. A few blocks away at Sony Hall in Times Square, New York’s top boxing promoter, Larry Goldberg of Boxing Insider Promotions, delivered a December fight card that delighted fans and added a punch to the local fight scene.

Goldberg has carved out a niche. Fight fans line up down 46th Street, across from the Richard Rodgers Theatre, where Broadway-goers queue up to see Hamilton. Inside Sony Hall, veteran matchmaker Eric Bottjer assembles competitive bouts for a crowd of sharply dressed attendees, sipping pricey cocktails served by waitstaff.

On this evening, just eight days before Christmas, the fight of the night featured two flyweights. Angel Giovanny Meza Morales of Mexico was brought in as an opponent for the popular Andy Dominguez Velasquez. Morales gave Velasquez all he could handle. After eight rounds of intense action, Velasquez eked out a hard-fought split decision victory.

As always, the post-fight enthusiasm lingered. Crowds spilled onto the sidewalk. Managers, trainers, and promoters huddled, strategizing their fighters' next moves. Fashionably dressed fans, still buzzing from the action, debated which Irish pub to visit for a nightcap. Just a block away, McCarthy’s Irish Pub on 46th served as the go-to spot for our crew to enjoy appetizers and cocktails.

Larry Goldberg and Boxing Insider Promotions will return to Sony Hall on Thursday, February 20th. Following that, they head to the Tropicana Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City on Saturday, March 22nd.

Also in December, “THE ONE”, an Off-Broadway play, ran for one week at the AMT Theater on 45th Street. It was a one-man biographical performance about the life of Muhammad Ali, formerly known as Cassius Clay. Written and directed by opera singer David Serero, who also appeared as Angelo Dundee in one scene, the show was minimalistic, with just a few props. Actor Zack Basile convincingly portrayed Ali, blending narration and pantomime. Special guest Gerry Cooney appeared onstage, answering audience questions about Ali at the evening’s conclusion. Serero also delivered a booming operatic rendition of the national anthem at Boxing Insider’s Sony Hall fight night.

Once the holiday decorations were packed away, Kings Promotions kicked off the 2025 boxing calendar with a card in Philadelphia on Friday, January 17th. Held at Live! Casino, the event featured a stacked undercard, courtesy of Kings Promotions head Marshall Kaufman.

Hot Philadelphia prospect Atif Oberlton, a light heavyweight, dispatched the tough but overmatched Joaquin Berroa Lugo of the Dominican Republic in five rounds of a scheduled eight. Oberlton improved to 12–0, with 10 of those wins coming by knockout. Lugo suffered his first loss, dropping to 6–1 with 4 KOs. The card drew a packed house, with too many local luminaries and fighters in attendance to list.

Oberlton is scheduled to return on Friday, March 14th, when Kings Promotions brings boxing back to Wind Creek Casino in Bethlehem, PA. Local Allentown junior welterweight Joseph Adorno will headline in a scheduled eight-round contest.

Most ringside pundits agree: it’s time for Oberlton to face stiffer competition. All eyes are on Kaufman to see who he’ll match his rising star against next.

Regional promoters like Kaufman and Goldberg are the lifeblood of the professional fight game. These club shows are where future champions are made.

WWE Royal Rumble 2025

By Steve Ward

This year’s incarnation of the Royal Rumble emanated from Lucas Oil Field, home of the Indianapolis Colts in front of a capacity crowd. Tonight’s card would feature a slim four matches with two title bouts and two Royal Rumble matches with the Men’s battle royal headlining the show.

 

Women’s Royal Rumble Match

Winner: Charlotte Flair

 

The show kicked off in full force with the first of two 30-participant Royal Rumble matches.

The order of entry was as follows:

 

1. Iyo Sky
2. Liv Morgan
3. Roxanne Perez
4. Lyra Valkyria 
5. Chelsea Green
6. B-Fab
7. Ivy Nile
8. Zoey Stark
9. Lash Legend 
10. Bianca Belair
11. Shayna Baszler
12. Bayley 
13. Sonya Deville
14. Maxxine Dupri
15. Naomi
16. Jaida Parker
17. Piper Niven
18. Natalya
19. Jordynne Grace
20. Michin
21. Alexa Bliss
22. Zelina Vega
23. Candice Lerae 
24. Stephanie Vaquer
25. Trish Stratus
26. Raquel Rodriguez 
27. Charlotte Flair
28. Giulia 
29. Nia Jax
30. Nikki Bella

 

Final Four:

Nikki Bella, Charlotte Flair, Nia Jax, and Roxanne Perez.

 

Once the field was narrowed down to the final four women, Nikki Bella was the first eliminated by Nia Jax. Jax was eliminated next by Charlotte as she battled with Perez on the ring apron. Charlotte then made quick work of Perez by kicking her off the ring apron meaning Charlotte had punched her ticket to WrestleMania in her first appearance in over a year. The women put on an entertaining match and WWE delivered with four surprise entries in the form of Alexa Bliss, Charlotte Flair, Nikki Bella, and WWE Hall of Famer Trish Stratus! It was also interesting to note that they mentioned Bella as the returning Nikki Bella so she may have elected to come out of retirement - WWE programming will nonetheless be interesting this week.

 

WWE Tag Team Championship 2 Out Of 3 Falls Match

# DIY (Johnny Gargano & Tomasso Ciampa) (c) vs. Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin)

Winners: # DIY 

 

We arrived at this bout tonight after Gargano led everyone to believe late last year that # DIY were on the outs until a nefarious low blow helped them to steal the tag team gold on an episode of Smackdown. Tonight, MCMG will seek retribution in a 2 out of 3 falls match. # DIY scored a quick fall as they feigned a tag, unbeknownst to MCMG, allowing Ciampa the opportunity to blindside Shelley with a knee to the face. MCMG then rallied in a big way as they turned momentum in their favor and utilized some tandem offense as they hit the Skull and Bones on Gargano to claim the second fall. The final moments of the match saw # DIY in dire straits as Gargano was being propped up by Shelley while Sabin ascended to the top rope. Two hooded assailants then emerged as one struck Sabin with a crutch allowing Gargano to steal the pinfall and retain their titles. Following the match, the men revealed themselves as The Street Profits who then proceeded to also lay waste to # DIY.

 

Undisputed WWE Championship Ladder Match 

Cody Rhodes ( c ) vs. Kevin Owens

Winner: Cody Rhodes

Kevin Owens felt betrayed by Cody Rhodes when he sided with Roman Reigns upon his return which lead to Owens carrying out a heinous attack on Cody at Badd Blood. This sparked a bitter rivalry that would culminate in a ladder match tonight. After breaking several ladders and beating each other thoroughly, Cody Rhodes finally incapacitated Owens by putting him through a ladder propped up between the ring and announce table with an Alabama Slam. This allowed Cody the opportunity to easily scale the ladder in the ring and retrieve both belts.

 

Men’s Royal Rumble Match

Winner: Jey Uso

 

The show would conclude with the Men’s Royal Rumble Match to determine the one man who would punch his ticket to the main event of WrestleMania 41.

 

The order of entry was as follows:

 

1. Rey Mysterio
2. Penta 
3. Chad Gable
4. Carmelo Hayes
5. Santos Escobar
6. Otis
7. Bron Breakker
8. Akira Tozawa  (replaced by YouTuber ISHOWSPEED after Tozawa was knocked out by Carmelo Hayes in the entryway)
9. Sheamus
10. Jimmy Uso
11. Andrade
12. Jacob Fatu
13. Ludwig Kaiser
14. The Miz
15. Joe Hendry (TNA World Champion)
16. Roman Reigns
17. Drew McIntyre 
18. Finn Balor
19. Shinsuke Nakamura
20. Jey Uso
21. AJ Styles
22. Braun Strowman
23. John Cena
24. CM Punk
25. Seth Rollins
26. Dominik Mysterio
27. Sami Zayn
28. Damian Priest
29. LA Knight
30. Logan Paul

 

Final Four:

John Cena, Logan Paul, Jey Uso, and CM Punk.

 

Once the field was trimmed down to the final four, Punk was the first to be eliminated by Logan Paul after he dumped Reigns and Rollins out simultaneously. Logan Paul was then clotheslined out of the ring by John Cena just moments later. After a brief back and forth exchange on the ring apron, Uso found himself hoisted onto Cena’s shoulders seemingly seconds from elimination. Instead of falling victim to the Attitude Adjustment, Uso slickly slipped off his shoulders back into the ring and casually pushed Cena to the floor booking his spot in the main event of WrestleMania. While this match had no lack of main event talent, I was a bit disappointed by the lack of surprise entries (I don’t consider Joe Hendry a real surprise as he was a regular on NXT last year during a brief talent swap between WWE and TNA). It was nice, however, to see WWE remembered that they have “The Phenomenal” AJ Styles on their roster as he had been banished to Live Event duty since his last televised appearance in October. This week should be interesting as Jey Uso will likely decide whether he will challenge Gunther or Cody Rhodes for their respective championships at Wrestlemania 41.

WWE Bad Blood 2024

By Steve Ward

WWE resurrected it’s Bad Blood moniker following a several year hiatus for tonight’s Premium Live Event (that still doesn’t sound right) which emanated from the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. This evening’s show had a special start time of 6 pm ET to cater to those who wanted to also watch UFC 307 at 10 pm ET (a downside of WWE being under the same umbrella as UFC - TKO Holdings). Additionally, the card for tonight’s event was rather slim at five matches, as opposed to AEW’s regularly robust shows, and would be headlined by Roman Reigns teaming up with Cody Rhodes to face Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu.

Hell In A Cell Match

Drew McIntyre vs. CM Punk 

Winner: CM Punk via pinfall

The longstanding, bitter rivalry between these two combatants would come to a head tonight as they would do battle in Hell In A Cell to mark the third encounter of their trilogy - with each man holding a win over the other. This match was the bloodiest encounter I’ve seen in WWE for more than a decade as both men were busted open early in the match (a sign of WWE looking to potentially ditch the PG era) and took each other to the limit with the use of tables, ring steps, and wrenches to name a few weapons put to use. In the end, Punk wrapped his knee in a chain before delivering his fourth Go To Sleep to finally put away the Scottish Psychopath.

WWE Women’s Championship

Nia Jax (c) vs. Bayley

Winner: Nia Jax via pinfall

Bayley sought to regain the title she lost to Jax at Summerslam (with an assist from Tiffany Stratton) tonight. Tiffany Stratton again made her presence felt in the contest after the referee was inadvertently pancaked by Nia Jax. This allowed the champ to regain momentum as she executed a Samoan Drop from the turnbuckle and the followed it up with her version of the Bonzai Drop to retain her title.

Finn Balor vs. Damian Priest

Winner: Damian Priest via pinfall

Balor and Priest have been embroiled in a bitter feud since Finn betrayed his former Judgement Day brethren at Summerslam costing him the World Heavyweight Championship in the process and tonight the animosity would spill over. In the closing moments of the match, Carlito and JD McDonagh made their way to ringside in an attempt to give Balor the edge. Balor was able to execute his patented Coup de Grace three times but his fourth attempt would prove to be his downfall as Priest countered with the South of Heaven to solidify his victory.

WWE Women’s World Championship (with Dominik Mysterio in a shark cage)

Liv Morgan (c) vs. Rhea Ripley

Winner: Rhea Ripley via DQ

Mysterio viciously betrayed Rhea Ripley at Summerslam costing her the coveted Women’s Title and subsequently seeing her ousted from the Judgement Day. To help ensure “Dirty” Dom would not interfere in the bout, he was suspended in a shark cage above the entryway. Late in the match, Dom managed to get the cage open but fell out of the door and found himself hanging upside down. This prompted Rhea to take a kendo stick to Dom until she was jumped from behind by a returning Racquel Rodriguez. This led to a disqualification of Liv Morgan, however, a title cannot change hands by DQ so Liv escaped with her title.

Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu vs. Cody Rhodes & Roman Reigns

Winners: Cody Rhodes & Roman Reigns via pinfall

Cody recruited his former bitter rival and the man he took the Universal Championship from at WrestleMania, the “Original Tribal Chief” Roman Reigns, to battle the new tribal chief Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu. In the closing moments of the match, Tama Tonga and Tonga Loa made their presence known to turn the tide back in favor of Solo and Jacob. This didn’t last long as an individual concealing his face with a bandana emerged from the crowd to neutralize the Tongans with a pair of super kicks. The man then revealed himself as Jimmy Uso who had been out of action since April. This supplied just enough of a distraction for Roman Reigns to break Solo in half with a devastating spear to cap the victory for his team.

Following the match, the New Bloodline proceeded to beat down Cody Rhodes only for Jimmy Uso to convince Roman to return to the ring and save him. Once the dust settled The Rock’s music echoed throughout the arena as he stood in the entryway and stared down the Universal Champion, Cody Rhodes to close the show.