Former ROH World champion Jonathan Gresham has asked for his release from his contract says Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Wrestling.
Gresham, according to the report, requested to be let go before his match against Claudio Castagnoli at the Death Before Dishonor pay-per-view on Saturday. He only recently signed a deal with the company this past April which saw him also appear on AEW television.
According to Sapp, Gresham was annoyed at the lack of communication over the past several weeks and felt disrespected. His match also opened the show on Saturday and was only given around 12 minutes, something he wasn’t a fan of. The report also says that Gresham “cussed out” AEW President Tony Khan on Saturday and things were definitely not cool between the two.
The former champ deactivated his Twitter following the show.
The 34-year-old has been working for ROH since 2014 and also worked for Impact Wrestling over the past year.
In the latest Form 8-K filing with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, WWE announced that it has identified unrecorded expenses totaling approximately $14.6 million.
All payments will be paid by Vince McMahon personally.
These payments that Vince McMahon agreed to make during the period from 2006 through 2022 were not recorded in the WWE consolidated financial statements and should have been recorded as expenses in the quarters in which those agreements were made.
The company anticipates that it will revise its previously issued financial statements to record these unrecorded expenses in the applicable periods for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2020 and 2021, as well as the first quarter of 2022.
While the WWE Board of Directors into Vince McMahon is still ongoing, WWE said that that it has received, and may receive in the future, regulatory, investigative and enforcement inquiries, subpoenas or demands arising from, related to, or in connection with these matters.
In a press release issued by WWE today confirming Stephanie McMahon and Nick Khan as co-CEOs, the company also announced that Paul “Triple H” Levesque will be overseeing the creative team moving forward.
“Additionally, WWE executive Paul Levesque will assume all responsibilities related to WWE’s creative, in addition to his regular duties,” the press release said.
The creative team was before led by Vince McMahon who approved all things before they went on TV.
Last Friday, Levesque resumed his role as EVP of Talent Relations, taking over from John Laurinaitis who is on a leave of absence and not expected to return.
Peacock is running a pre-SummerSlam party this Saturday in Nashville where Peacock Premium subscribers can relax in the shade with local live music, complimentary cold beverages, snow cones, and more.
The party will be held between the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge and Nissan Stadium’s south side entrance (at the corner of Victory Ave and S1st St) from 3:30PM to 6:30PM local time.
Peacock is the exclusive home of the WWE Network in the United States and the streaming service has a five-year deal which runs in excess of $1 billion in total.
PWTorch.com is reporting that Max Dupri has been removed from leading the Maximum Male Models on Smackdown and the introduction of his “sister” Maxxine this week will be his replacement moving forward.
The report by PWTorch states that the man formerly known as LA Knight was not fitting in properly and was rubbing people the wrong way backstage and Vince McMahon pulled the plug on him.
Of course, Vince is now no longer in charge of creative so technically things can change but Dupri was not at Smackdown this week and he knew of the decision when last week he announced that his “sister” would be coming to Smackdown as well.
He has been doing the Maximum Male Models gig since the May 20 Smackdown after he was called up to the main roster from NXT. He wrestled his final match in NXT as LA Knight at Stand & Deliver in April.
Claudio Castagnoli won the ROH World title last night during Death Before Dishonor, his first major singles titles in a very long time.
The Swiss Superman, who only won the WWE United States title as a singles competitor in WWE, never won the ROH World title before despite wrestling for the promotion between 2005 and 2011. His only title in ROH back then was the Tag Team titles with Chris Hero.
During the media scrum with the press following the pay-per-view, Castagnoli said that he had a great month in AEW and this was a nice way to top it off. He said that his win was just the beginning and will do his best to meet all expectations that a champion usually has.
Castagnoli arrived in AEW last month as a surprise opponent for Zack Sabre Jr at the Forbidden Door pay-per-view, replacing Bryan Danielson who was injured.
During the same media scrum, Tony Khan mentioned that Castagnoli was supposed to be the mystery opponent for tonight’s ROH World title match but the Danielson injury changed everything.
Bryan Danielson announced yesterday during the AEW Comic-Con panel that he is cleared to return to the ring and will be wrestling this Wednesday on Fight for the Fallen Dynamite against Daniel Garcia.
The American Dragon has been out of action for two months after he suffered a concussion during the Anarchy in the Arena match at the Double or Nothing pay-per-view. Since he has a long history of concussions, Danielson was put through rigorous tests before he was allowed to step back in the ring.
His concussion prevented him from participating in the Forbidden Door pay-per-view and the Blood & Guts match.
Danielson is one of the major AEW stars who were injured along with Kenny Omega, CM Punk, and Adam Cole.
Here are the results from last night’s ROH Death Before Dishonor pay-per-view which took place from the Tsongas Center in Lowell, Massachusetts.
Colt Cabana defeated Anthony Henry in the pre-show; Trustbusters defeated Shinobi Shadow Squad in the pre-show; The Embassy and The Gates of Agony defeated Alex Zayne, Blake Christian, and Tony Deppen in a six-man tag match in the pre-show; Willow Nightingale defeated Allysin Kay in the pre-show.
Claudio Castagnoli defeated Jonathan Gresham to become the new ROH World champion; Dalton Castle and The Boys defeated The Righteous in a six-man tag match to become the new ROH World Six-Man Tag Team champions; Wheeler Yuta defeated Daniel Garcia in a pure wrestling rules match to retain the ROH Pure title; Rush defeated Dragon Lee; Mercedes Martinez defeated Serena Deeb to retain the ROH Women’s World title; Samoa Joe defeated Jay Lethal to retain the ROH World Television title; FTR defeated The Briscoe Brothers in a 2-out-of-3 falls match to retain the ROH World Tag Team titles.
The news of Vince McMahon retiring from WWE was the equivalent of a 10.0 earthquake on the Richter scale for the world of professional wrestling.
The most influential promoter and arguably the greatest wrestling promoter in the history of this business is no longer in charge of WWE, no longer in Gorilla yelling instructions, and no longer heading up the creative at WWE.
During his 40-year tenure as owner of WWE, the man we know as Mr. McMahon has been a friend, mentor, and father-figure to many of those who he worked with and much to no surprise, several of those who worked for him used social media to simply say thank you.
Here are some of the comments compiled from Twitter:
Ric Flair: “You’ve made my life better every day since I’ve been in the wrestling business. You’re the only promoter in my career that treated me like a man, respected who I was, and made me a better person. God bless you for all you’ve done. FYI – no one can follow your act.”
Pat McAfee: “Thank you 4 the decades of dedication to entertainment. Thank you 4 the miles you traveled. Thank you 4 the sacrifices. Thank you 4 the priceless business advice. Thank you 4 the opportunity to be a WWE SUPERSTAR @VinceMcMahon. You’re not perfect..but you’re forever a legend”
Eric Bischoff: “Loved competing against you, and will always respect the business you built.”
Vickie Guerrero: “It is hard to believe that Vince McMahon has retired. Thank you Vince for loving my family! I learned so much from you not only professionally but in life’s lessons. Enjoy your well deserved retirement”
Titus O’Neil: “THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING!!”
Alberto El Patron: “Today is a sad day in the sports entertainment and wrestling industry. @VinceMcMahon retired from @WWE at 77 years. Sir, thank you for believing in me and granting me the opportunity to change my life. Without you there wouldn’t be an Albert Del Río. Enjoy life! You deserve it.”
Kevin Nash: “Thank you @VinceMcMahon with out you believing in me and giving me the opportunity of a lifetime I would not be who or where I currently am. Love you boss”
Michelle McCool: “Thank you @VinceMcMahon for everything you’ve done….we love you!”
Brie Bella: “Thank you Vince!! You took a chance on the Bella Twins and I’ll forever be grateful for that!! Enjoy retirement – Brie”
JBL: “You changed the entire entertainment world and how we view that entertainment. From Iraq, to Afghanistan, to the first group to visit the Twin Towers and all the charity work you have funded/supported-you also changed the world for the better. Thank you for everything! #legend”
Mick Foley: “Thank you for everything, Vince. You changed my life.”
Matt Cardona: “Thank you Vince”
Gerald Brisco: “Disappointed to see all you jabronis celebrating the retirement of the man who created a world that gave you so much enjoyment growing up. If Vince never existed, all you marks would have sadder lives than you already do.”
Kurt Angle: “After winning a gold medal in 1996, I found my 2nd calling because of @VinceMcMahon … thank you for believing in me and giving me the opportunity of a lifetime. I Love you Vince. P.S. I’m still Vince’s favorite @steveaustinBSR”
Road Dogg: “Thank you sir. For all I have, for your guidance and dare I say friendship (at times) lol”
Saraya (Paige): “Thank you for everything Vince! You’ve been nothing but nice to me and I appreciate everything you’ve done for wrestling”
Matt Hardy: “Thank you. VKM!”
Dana Brooke: “Thank you @VinceMcMahon ! Nothing but appreciation & respect! You have always believed in me and have seen my vision! I appreciate our conversations & words of wisdom! You will be missed!”
The Blue Meanie: “Love Vince or hate Vince. Vince took the industry to levels others had tried to and failed. Vince McMahon and WWE allowed me an opportunity to support my family. I’m forever grateful.”
William Regal: “Thank you very much Boss. 21 years of a great job traveling the world and without your help I wouldn’t of lived to see a second of it. x”
The overnight number for yesterday’s Friday Night Smackdown, the first Vince McMahon-less WWE broadcast, did 2,170,000 viewers, probably fueled by curiosity to see what’s going to happen on a historic day.
This overnight number is the highest since the June 17 episode and the final number on Monday will probably be the most-watched in a month.
Smackdown also drew a 0.60 in the 18-49 demo in overnights, which is up 0.20 up from what the show did over the last several weeks in overnights. The final 18-49 number could end up being the highest of the year. The show doubled its 18-49 demo from ABC’s 20/20 and Shark Tank which were the closest competition for Smackdown yesterday.
Last week’s show did a final number of 2,077,000 viewers and a 0.47 in the 18-49.
The news of Vince McMahon announcing his retirement from WWE was picked up by top mainstream media websites yesterday.
CNN, Variety, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, BBC, The Guardian, FOX News, Sports Illustrated, ESPN, USA Today, LA Times, CBS News, Deadspin, Sportico, The Athletic, and other major publications all covered McMahon’s retirement. McMahon also was trending on Google Trends with over 200,000 searches yesterday, which is what a regular WWE premium live event does when it comes to searches.
The Wall Street Journal is reportedly coming out with an even bigger story on Vince that is said to be very damaging which might explain why McMahon all of a sudden pulled the trigger to retire. There are those who believe that the story, which is said to be released soon, is so bad that McMahon left even before this Monday’s Raw which is taking place from his favorite arena – Madison Square Garden in New York.
Vince also departed without saying one final goodbye in person in front of the WWE Universe and without any pomp and circumstances, leaving his daughter Stephanie to deliver his message on Smackdown.
What happens to the WWE Board of Directors investigation remains to be seen. McMahon said previously that he would accept any outcome of the investigation and him retiring suggests that the conclusions from this investigation or anything that was coming later, was worse than everyone else thought. With McMahon no longer being in charge and pretty much not on WWE’s books anymore, there’s no punishment that the company can apply on him after the investigation is over.
Vince remains the largest shareholder of WWE and promised to help wherever he can if asked.
Live tonight from the Tsongas Center in Lowell, Massachusetts, Ring of Honor presents Death Before Dishonor on pay-per-view. This is the second ROH PPV under the ownership of AEW President Tony Khan. The full card is as follows:
Jonathan Gresham vs Claudio Castagnoli for the ROH World title; FTR vs The Briscoe Brothers in a 3-out-of-3-falls match for the ROH World Tag Team titles; Samoa Joe vs Jay Lethal for the ROH World Television title; Mercedes Martinez vs Serena Deeb for the ROH Women’s World title; Wheeler Yuta vs Daniel Garcia in a pure wrestling rules match for the ROH Pure title; Rush vs Dragon Lee; The Righteous vs Dalton Castle and The Boys in a six-man tag team match for the ROH World Six-Man Tag Team titles.
In the Zero Hour pre-show, it’s Allysin Kay vs Willow Nightingale; Colt Cabana vs Anthony Henry; The Shinobi Shadow Squad vs The Trust Busters; and Tully Blanchard Enterprises vs Alex Zayne, Blake Christian, and Tony Deppen in a six-man tag team match.
Death Before Dishonor can be purchased on pay-per-view via Bleacher Report in the United States and FITE.TV internationally. Zero Hour will air on the ROH and AEW YouTube channels starting at 7PM ET.
Eight WWE executives, including Vince McMahon, sold a total of 52,547 WWE shares on July 20, two days before McMahon announced his retirement from the company.
The decision of Vince retiring was not made yesterday but rumors are that it’s been in the works for around a week, with only a handful of others knowing about what’s to come.
All shares were sold at $66.27 each and all registered on July 20 according to several filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Bradley Blum sold 2,840 shares for a payout of $188,206. He has 27,979 shares left. Kevin Dunn sold 16,432 shares for a return of $1,088,948. He has 239,090 shares remaining. Nick Khan sold 9,369 shares for a total of $620,883. He has 51,904 shares left. Paul Levesque sold 3,266 shares and got $216,437. He is left with 58,901 shares. Karen Mullane sold just 473 shares and got $31,345. She has 7,867 shares remaining. Frank Riddick III also sold just 480 shares and got $31,809. He has 101,541 shares remaining. Stephanie Levesque sold 3,617 shares and received $239,698 and has 90,797 shares left. And finally, Vince McMahon sold 12,453 shares for a payout of $825,260. He has 107,676 shares left.
Collectively, all eight walked out with a total of $3,242,586.
Crazy news today, huh? Hell of a heel, both on and off screen. Good riddance.
And now…
It’s Saturday morning, and you know what that means… it’s time for our Rampage Review!
Hangin’ with the Meatman vs Butcher & Blade
Backstory: B&B attacked the Dark Order on Dynamite & Hangman made the save
Yes I made up that name.
Silver flew at Butcher the second the bell rang but quickly found himself double teamed with quick tags in and out. Huge chop from the Butcher knocked Silver to his knees, Blade followed up with stomps in the corner.
Excalibur referred to B&B as ‘one of the most destructive tag teams in the company’. To what? The ratings? An announcer’s currency is their credibility.
Blade then took too long with a suplex, Silver reversed it and Hangman got the pretty lukewarm tag, dispatching both guys with ease via his fallaway, vaulting cross body, tope suicida flurry, culminating with a diving forearm from the top for 2. A flurry which woke the crowd and got them firmly behind the former champ. Hell of a sequence. B&B then took a couple of cheap shots and had Page down as the break beckoned.
Notable that the Rock was all over one of the ads promoting Shark Week.
Silver was exploding as we returned, firing up himself and the crowd with quick strikes and suplexes until the Butcher stopped the count at 2. Giving the heels the advantage with Hangman down on the outside. Blade struck with a Dr Bomb for another 2. Silver then slipped out of Butcher’s suplex and tagged Page again who came in with forearms, a big boot, then backdropped Blade to the outside.
Page and Butcher then collided mid-ring with clotheslines and neither budged. Hangman flipped out of a suplex onto his feet, knocked Butcher down and positioned for the Buckshot but aimed for a moonsault to the outside instead after Blade tried to grab his legs. Missing, Silver picked up the slack, landing a German suplex, setting up Hangman to blast Butcher with the Buckshot for the victory.
Hangman looked great. Otherwise, not much to this.
WINNER: Hangman & John Silver
Video package for Yuta vs Daniel Garcia. Garcia vowed to make Yuta tap.
Claudio came out, again to a pretty tough crowd. Acknowledged that he’s never won a world title but vowed to on Saturday. Promised to be ‘your world champion’ to the AEW fans re: another company’s belt.
Wardlow promo. Said ‘sh**’ about 90 times; vowed to ‘beat the sh**’ out of anyone in any company if they want his title. Probably frustrated that after a two year build the company had prepared nothing to follow-up on his split with MJF.
Lee Moriarty vs Dante Martin
Backstory: Matt Sydal wanted a clean contest so made this match after Moriarty was approached by Stokely Hathaway last week.
This one started slowly with arm wringers, neither guy getting the advantage until Moriarty set-in a cravat and followed with a hammerlock. Lee trying to contain Martin and keep him grounded. Dante floated out and wrapped Moriarty in the magistral for 2.
A very sloppy tejeiras barely connected but Lee took the bump anyway. Moriarty struck with knees to the mug, went for a pancake but Martin turned it into a dropkick to the face as the ads arrived.
We returned to Dante leaping to the top rope and hurracanrana-ing Moriarty from his perch. Stokely Hathaway came out just as Martin got a close count with a diving cross body, then was walloped with a back elbow, leading to the Border City Stretch but Dante eventually got to the ropes as Moriarty took a while to break the hold, then attacked viciously with leaping stomps.
An awesome half-and-half bomb into a close 2 from Martin again briefly threw water on the crowd.
On top, Dante went up for the Nose Dive, which Moriarty avoided, then countered an O’Connor Role, grabbing the ropes for leverage and the win.
Nowhere near as good or spectacular as anticipated.
Immediately, Matt Sydal cut an incredibly corny promo, as always, chastising Moriarty for cheating and challenging him for next Friday as if he’s supposed to be someone to be feared. There’s no-one lamer in wrestling. He makes QT seem like Stone Cold.
Obviously this loss was part of a story, but Dante really needs to start winning. Not sure I can remember when he last did. But Moriarty’s potential link-up with Hathaway should give him the out-of-ring boost his in-ring deserves.
WINNER: Lee Moriarty
Jamie Hayter & Britt Baker vs Ashley D’Amboise & Skye Blue
Backstory: None
Oh you didn’t know!? Rampage gonna SQUUASSSH SOMEBODDDDDYYY!
A cool twisting-neck-breaker off the apron by Britt was about the only highlight before she won with the Lockjaw. Saying ‘DMD’ was over but the crowd otherwise continued their slumber.
WINNER: You know
Ari Daivari’s ‘coming soon.’ Because we need more people. There are never enough apparently.
Max Caster & Austin Gunn’s rap battle was next. The late 00s dropped-off Lil Scrappy to judge the affair. Unfortunately we did not get crunk. Nor did they ask him to perform Money in the Bank.
Austin made fun of Caster’s relationship with Statlander, compared his dad favourably vs Caster’s, then made a gay joke about Bowens. Cool.
Gunn’s second flurry was woeful, rhyming the same word twice and making John Cena jokes.
It continued.
After Caster’s victory, they all brawled and Austin belted Max with a trash can.
This sucked. Dragged on far too long. ‘It’s been ugly, just turning more ugly.’ When JR says something like that, you know it was rotten.
Christopher Daniels vs Jay Lethal
Backstory: Daniels cut a promo on Samoa Joe’s behalf last week; Joe faces lethal @ PPV
Seriously? Seriously? This is our main event? Isn’t Fyter Fest supposed to be special? Honestly, Hangman’s the biggest – and only – star on this show by so many galaxies that his tag should’ve taken precedence.
These two are neither current stars, or young enough to be ones in the making.
And then Caprice joined JR, Schiavone and Excalibur on comms.
This one started quickly with a lot of brawling, Daniels getting a Dodo-rare one-count with a slingshot legdrop. And was on top until Lethal raked the eyes but caught a leg lariat and bailed to the outside, where he avoided a Daniels dive and hit a tope suicida to leave the vet reeling as the final break came.
And still was upon our return, Lethal looking for a muscle buster with Daniels propped up-top. Daniels fought him off but missed with a dropkick and ate a superkick from Jay. Striking back, Daniels nailed Jay with a knee to the head, ran him over with clotheslines and went to the corner for 10 punches, following up with an STO and a blue thunder bomb for a close count.
Lethal countered with the Lethal Combination, went topside for the diving elbow, CD got the leg up but Lethal countered into a roll-up for 2. Daniels looked out-on-his-feet but countered a Lethal Injection attempt into Angel’s Wings, which Jay then countered back out of, landing the Lethal Injection for the third obvious outcome in four matches.
Afterward, poor Daniels, the respected, skilled, accomplished veteran, had to take a bodyslam out of a gorilla press on the outside mats from wrestling’s latest experiment with teaching an unskilled giant to become just competent enough that they aren’t a complete laughing stock.
Solid main event.
WINNER: Jay Lethal
Next Dynamite:
Thunder Rosa vs Miyu Yamashita, AEW Women’s Title
Ricky Starks vs Danhausen, FTW Title (is Hook next?)
Next Rampage:
Matt Sydal vs Lee Moriarty
Overall impressions
Didn’t watch Dynamite this week. Barbed wire matches aren’t my thing and there was nothing else that grabbed me. From what I hear, I didn’t miss much. Tonight, if you missed it, you didn’t miss much.
Check Out…
Nothing
Thanks for reading. Have a great weekend! Enjoy the PPV if you’re watching.
The new boss in town, Stephanie McMahon, kicked off Friday Night Smackdown last night instead of the scheduled segment with Brock Lesnar. Lesnar was originally set to open the show but left the TD Garden after McMahon’s retirement announcement, only to be brought back for the final few minutes of the broadcast.
Stephanie welcomed everyone to Smackdown and said that earlier today, her father retired from WWE. The fans booed the announcement and an emotional Stephanie said that this is the company that he created and he founded and wanted to make sure that in his retirement, that he thanked all of the fans and all the WWE Universe. She said that is everybody in the back, the crew, those who hang the rigging, those who design the graphics, and “even Pat McAfee and I guess Michael Cole!”
“This is the WWE Universe and we are eternally grateful for all of you. But since Vince had the opportunity to thank us, I think this is the moment that we take to thank him,” Stephanie said.
McMahon then led the fans to chant “Thank you Vince,” something that they had already done a few minutes earlier.
Stephanie then looked straight into the camera and without the microphone, she said, “I love you dad” to end the segment.
Smackdown opens with Stephanie McMahon, who welcomes everyone to Friday Night Smackdown and talks about the earlier announcement that Vince McMahon announced his retirement from WWE, the company that he built. He wanted her to make sure he sincerely thanks the WWE Universe and all the employees of WWE over the years and then a “Thank You Vince” chant started.
The Street Profits then come out through the WWE Universe. They talk about being ready for SummerSlam and the Street Profits are up and “We want the smoke.”
Theory interrupts and says no one cares what they are doing at SummerSlam, they only care about what he is doing at SummerSlam.
As Theory continued saying he doesn’t care who he cashes in on, The Usos interrupt him. They tell Theory if he keeps saying the Tribal Chief’s name, he isn’t even going to make it to SummerSlam to which Montez began laughing
Theory turns to him and says, “The only thing that there is to laugh about is you and your wife both walking out of Summer Slam with no titles!”
Montez said he is about to get these hands in Boston and Theory ducks and Ford hits the Usos and the fight between The Usos and Street Profits ensue.
Theory jumps in and starts kicking Dawkins and Madcap Moss comes it to help the Street Profits.
Moss and the Street Profits then clear the ring of Theory and the Usos and Moss whips Dawkins into the far ropes and Ford holds the top rope down and Dawkins flies over the ropes onto all three on the floor and jumps up and goes back in the ring to celebrate with Ford and Moss.
Shinsuke Nakamura VS. Ludwig Kaiser
Shinsuke goes for a roll up, but Kaiser kicks out and Shinsuke gets hit by Gunther who was at ringside and Kaiser grabs Shinsuke and hit DDT for the win.
Winner: Ludwig Kaiser
After the match, Ludwig gets another chop and yelled at by Gunther.
Liv Morgan was getting interviewed by Kayla Braxton and Ronda Rousey interrupted and Rousey told Liv she liked her and respected her, but she will beat her at SummerSlam.
As they go back to ringside, Happy Corbin attacks Pat McAfee again. McAfee then runs after Corbin to the back Corbin tried to hit him with a chair, but Pat ducks and a fight began with officials quickly breaking it up.
Back in the ring, Pat McAfee he says he only has one thing to say to Bum Ass Corbin before he joins Cole back at the announce table. He said he is going to put him down at SummerSlam.
Jinder Mahal & Shanky VS. The Viking Raiders
The New Day are at the announce Table
After getting beat down by both Vikings, Jinder finally got in a superkick but Ivar dropped down on him with all his weight and Jinder rolled out of the ring. Ivar followed and continued to hammer on Jinder and threw him into the ring steps then threw Jinder on the New Day at ringside and Ivar rolls back in the ring as the referee counted to 10.
Winners by Count Out: The Viking Raiders
Sonya Deville came in to talk to Adam Pearce and Pearce said she is going to have a match against Raquel Rodriguez.
Sheamus came out and said his match with Drew McIntyre will not happen until the Sword is banned from ringside. Drew McIntyre comes out. There is a big box, or something covered up in the ring. Ridge is holding Butch back. Sheamus tells Ridge to take Butch out.
Drew trying to talk Sheamus into a match. Sheamus finally accepts. Just not tonight. Sheamus said he talked to WWE management and next week no DQ an Irish donnybrook match and your sword is banned from ringside. Sheamus then uncovers a table full of Shillelaghs and calls Pearce out to make the match.
Adam Pearce comes out and says it is official.
The Usos are in the back getting hyped up for the six-man tag match tonight when Paul Heyman walks in and says after you win tonight, let’s go off the air with Theory face down in the ring. And let’s not make it a prediction, it’s a spoiler.
Raquel Rodriguez VS. Sonya Deville
After Sonya had a two count, Raquel gave her a couple kicks then the powerbomb for the win.
Winner: Raquel Rodriguez
Aliyah VS. Lacey Evans
Lacey gets the microphone and says more about being disrespected and told the referee to hold Aliyah back then attacked Aliyah with the woman’s right fist.
Winner: No Match
Kayla interviews Jeff Jarrett backstage who says it’s an honor to be the referee at SummerSlam. Jeff says he will call the match right down the middle.
The Usos & Theory VS. The Street Profits & Madcap Moss
This was a good match which unfortunately ended with a disqualification after Theory gets the briefcase and hits Madcap with it. Following the match, Theory continued to hit Madcap with the briefcase until Brock Lesnar’s music hit and came to the ring. Lesnar kicked Theory and hit the F5, then used the briefcase on him and gave Theory another F5 on the briefcase. Theory is laid out in the middle of the ring as we leave the show.
It apparently took some convincing to do, but after Brock Lesnar left the TD Garden after finding out about Vince McMahon quitting, WWE officials went into overdrive to communicate with him and try to get him back to the show.
Lesnar was advertised for the show heavily but then a few hours before Smackdown started, all references to him were removed.
But Brock did keep his scheduled appearance in Boston, even if it was for just a few minutes. After Theory destroyed Madcap Moss with the briefcase at the end of their six-man tag team match, Lesnar’s music hit the speakers to a thunderous ovation from the crowd.
The announcers, who did somewhat mentioned that they thought Brock was not there, were just as surprised as the fans to see the Beast Incarnate.
Lesnar marched down to the ring and went to work on Theory, hitting an F5 on him and then beating him up with the briefcase. He then delivered another F5 on the briefcase to end the show.
Brock Lesnar, who was advertised for tonight’s broadcast and was expected to open Smackdown, is no longer appearing on the show.
A couple of hours ago, multiple insiders reported that Lesnar walked out of the TD Garden arena after the announcement of Vince McMahon’s retirment was communicated. McMahon was never in Boston for the show and Lesnar, like pretty much every other talent, had no idea that Vince was leaving WWE.
Instead of Lesnar opening Smackdown, it was Stephanie McMahon who launched the broadcast. The WWE.COM preview of Smackdown, which had Lesnar all over it, was also removed.
His status for SummerSlam remains unknown with one week to go with many believe he might not return without Vince at the helm.
The situation will be clearer on Monday night as Raw will feature champion Roman Reigns live from Madison Square Garden.
A confirmed WWE insider on the popular Reddit SquaredCircle forum, kerrmit125, published the e-mail that Vince McMahon sent to all the WWE Superstars after the retirement announcement came out.
“To all WWE Superstars: as I approach 77 years old (OMG am I really that old?), I feel it’s time for me to retire. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed sharing my passion, wisdom, and love of the business with you. No longer will you see the smiling, docile, level-headed, calm presence at Gorilla every week,” McMahon wrote.
He continued, “Your dedication to WWE will ensure that our company will continue to grow and prosper. Our organization is nothing without you. You are WWE’s only natural resource, chosen to perform in front of a global audience.”
Vince said that all of them are WWE Global Ambassadors and should carry the WWE flag, high and proud, wherever they go and bust their asses “to be all you can be as a person and as a performer.”
His final paragraph read, “One other thing – I won’t be with you, but I’ll be watching. Remember to keep your hands up, grab a hold, and sell. Btw, SmackDown airs live tonight at 8pm Eastern/7pm Central on FOX.”
