Monday, May 18, 2020

RAW NXT & SmackDown | Recap #7

Hi and welcome back to the blog. It's time to look back at a memorable week in the WWE that's for sure. So much to recap, let's begin. 

On this episode of RAW. Becky Lynch and Women's Money in the Bank winner Asuka met in the ring for the advertised confrontation. However, for once, a fight didn't happen. Becky revealed that the Women's Money in the Bank match was actually for the RAW Women's Championship. Congratulations to Asuka on becoming champion. She has now won every championship in the WWE including a Royal Rumble victory to her name. That's a hall of fame resume right there. 

Towards the end of the segment. Becky announced that she is pregnant. Congratulations to her and Seth Rollins on becoming parents. She was congratulated by members of the RAW roster backstage. Becky leaving is a huge loss to the company, It's time for others on the Women's roster to step up. 

Bobby Lashley defeated Humberto Carrillo. 

Angel Garza defeated Akira Tozawa. There was some dissension between Garza,  Austin Theory and Andrade. Drew McIntyre walked out and gave Claymore Kicks to Theory and Garza to set up a impromptu "Champion vs. Champion" match against Andrade. 

Drew McIntyre defeated Andrade. The troubles continue for Zelina Vega and her group. After the match, McIntyre spoke about his match against Rollins at Money in the Bank. He talked about a brand invitation and said he will face Baron Corbin on the next episode of RAW. 

This brand invitation is just another way of saying Wildcard.

MVP talked to Bobby Lashley backstage. That is an alliance that would be cool to watch. 

Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross hosted an edition of "A moment of Bliss" they were interrupted by the returning iiconics. This led to a non title match which was won by iiconics. 

Cedric Alexander, Ricochet and R-Truth defeated Shane Thorne, Brendan Vink & MVP. After the match Lashley speared Truth and it looks like an alliance between Lashley and MVP is indeed formed here. 

Rey Mysterio & Aleister Black defeated Seth Rollins & Murphy by DQ and then Rollins brutally attacked Rey after the match.

The Viking Raiders took on Street Profits in a Basketball match. Yes. You read that correctly. I actually enjoyed this segment because anything happening away from the empty arena is a plus for in my book.

Shayna Baszler defeated Natalya.

Edge and Randy Orton met in the ring for the first time since their match at WrestleMania many weeks ago. Orton congratulated Edge for his win. and then said the better man won. He tried to walk away but that was difficult for the "Viper" to do so. Orton went back into the ring and challenged Edge to a wrestling match at Backlash. 

Charly Caruso ended the show by saying if this match does happen (and it will) this may be the greatest wrestling match ever. I don't know if that will be the case. It was a good joke by whoever told Charly to say it. They should be awarded a slammy or something.

Time now to move on to NXT.

Marcel Barthel & Fabian Aichner of Imperium became new NXT Tag Team Champions after Timothy Thatcher walked out on Matt Riddle towards the end of the match. Riddle then tried to overcome the odds but failed to do so. 

Tegan Nox defeated Indi Hartwell.

Matt Riddle spoke to William Regal backstage and Riddle was informed that he would take on Timothy Thatcher later, Thatcher attacked Riddle and walked away. 

Jake Atlas defeated Tony Nese in a match from Group A in the interim NXT Cruiserweight Championship Tournament. Later in the show, Nese attacked Isiah "Swerve" Scott before Scott's match in Group B that he would lose against Jack Gallagher. 

Triple H & Shawn Michaels appeared on NXT to announce that NXT TakeOver: In Your House will be on Sunday June 7th.

Cameron Grimes had a shock win over Finn Balor, after an assist from Damian Priest, who revealed he was the one who attacked a Balor a few weeks ago. 

Kayden Carter defeated Aliyah.

In the main event. Matt Riddle defeated Timothy Thatcher. After the match, Thatcher tried to rip off Riddle's arm.

And finally. Let's see what happened on the post Money in the Bank episode of SmackDown. 

The Miz and John Morrison kicked things off with Miz TV. They were interrupted by Money in the Bank winner; Otis. The Miz challenged Otis to find a tag team partner of his choosing ahead of the match later on. 

Sami Zayn relinquished his intercontinental Championship so a tournament to crown a new champion began with Elias defeating Baron Corbin. 

There was another message from the "hacker" 

Dana Brooke defeated Naomi. If the losses continue for Naomi, I would expect her to be a frustrated heel on TV in the future going back to her "Team BAD" days.  

NXT Women's Champion Charlotte appeared on this episode as part of the Brand-to-Brand Invitational and was interrupted by SmackDown Women's Champion Bayley & Sasha Banks. Charlotte attempted to bring tension between the duo. It's only a matter of time till it's they  (Bayley & Sasha) split up from being a team, leading to a feud for the SmackDown Women's Championship. I believe Charlotte accepted Bayley's challenge to a match for the next episode of SmackDown. This was made official later on.

The Intercontinental Championship Tournament continued with Daniel Bryan defeating Drew Gulak to advance to the next round. 

UPDATE: Drew Gulak has since been released, It's a shame because he was good to watch and his match against Daniel Bryan was quality. All the best to him for the future. 

Otis found a tag partner to take on The Miz & John Morrison, it was the Universal Champion. Braun Strowman. The winners of the match were Otis and Braun Strowman. After the match, Mandy Rose walked out and distracted Braun so that Otis would take advantage and cash in on him. This was done as a tease as the cash in never occurred. They continued the tag team victory celebrations as SmackDown went off the air.

Apologies for the delay of this recap. The next one will be available on the 23rd. Untill then, Have a good week. Thanks for reading.