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The opening videos for the PPV come to an end and DEONNA PURRAZZO walks out as we get the PPV underway officially. We then cut to the commentary team at ringside, who welcomed us to the show.
Michael Cole: It’s Saturday night and you know what that means. Welcome to Queen of the Ring from the O2 Arena in London, England!
Beth Phoenix: We have a huge night as we look to find out who is going to follow in my footsteps and become Queen of the Ring.
Nigel McGuinness: But we start the show with a WWE Women’s title match and I think Taynara Conti’s title reign is in great jeopardy tonight!
Michael Cole: As you know from watching her first-hand, Deonna is a technical expert of the likes we have rarely seen in the Women’s division.
Beth Phoenix: She has all the skill and talent in the world, but I wonder if she is being a bit overconfident.
Nigel McGuniness: When you are as good as Deonna Purrazzo is, there is no such thing as being too confident. She knows she is in the head of Taynara Conti and has been outsmarting her each week in the lead-up to tonight!
TAYNARA CONTI makes her way out, getting a loud pop from the live crowd as she lifts her WWE Women’s title into the air. XIA LI joins her friend on the entrance ramp as they share a few words with Money in the Bank being said out loud before Xia heads to the back for now.
Michael Cole: Taynara Conti clearly has her focus in two places, still well aware that Ember Moon could be lurking to cash in her briefcase tonight!
Beth Phoenix: That might be what she was speaking to Xia Li about and making sure she is on guard to stop Ember from trying anything.
Nigel McGuniness: And this is why Conti is in great danger; she doesn’t have her full focus on the threat in front of her. Deonna is capable of taking advantage of someone who gives her a weakness to exploit.
Michael Cole: I mean, Deonna will have to consider the presence of Ember Moon too, which is why she tried to help her cash in last month!
Nigel McGuniness: And that shows Deonna has a plan in place! Conti is still worried about Ember, who could strike at any time!
Beth Phoenix: I’d argue that shows both women have Ember Moon on their mind.
Taynara Conti climbs into the ring before passing her WWE Women’s title to the referee for them to go through the usual title announcements. Once they come to a finish, the referee calls for the bell to get our opening match underway!
WWE Women’s title match:
Taynara Conti © vs Deonna Purrazzo
Taynara and Deonna both circle the ring once it rings with Conti ready to right for the throat, but Deonna is more than happy to take her time. Conti looks to charge in and go for a strike, but Deonna rolls out of the ring, tapping her head with a slight smirk. Conti had no intention of waiting and headed to the outside of the ring… BUT DEONNA RESPONDS BY SLIDING BACK INSIDE! Conti turns back around, looking to get back into the ring… BUT DEONNA CATCHES HER WITH A CHEAP SHOT TO THE GUT!
The crowd boos, but Deonna doesn’t give a damn, looking to take advantage of the opportunity she has managed to create! She lays into her with a series of hard kicks whilst she is trapped in the ropes as the referee counts to 4! Deonna backs away before laying in a few stomps on her. She then has a smirk on her face, grabs hold of Conti and LOCKS HER IN A PARADISE LOCK ON THE ROPES! Conti is trapped in the ropes as Deonna taunts the fans and the champion before HITTING A DROPKICK WHICH BREAKS THE LOCKS SENDING CONTI TO THE RING FLOOR!
Conti lands with a hard thud, leading to Deonna taking a seat on the ring apron and applauding herself as she gets loud boos from the crowd for her antics so far in this match. Michael and Beth wonder if Deonna is being too cocky early on, but Nigel says she is in the champion’s head from the start of this match. Deonna rolls out of the ring and looks to grab hold of the challenger, considering bringing her into the ring before, instead looking at the steel steps and smirks, having an idea!
She looks to IRISH WHIP CONTI INTO THE STEEL STEPS… BUT CONTI COUNTERS AND SEND DEONNA INTO THEM INSTEAD! The crowd cheers as Conti leans on the ropes for a moment to recover from the damage done to her before looking at Purrazzo, slumped on the steps. Conti climbs onto the ring apron as she lines up Deonna Purrazzo and DIVES OFF THE RING APRON HITTING A DIVING METEORA TO DEONNA PRESSED AGAINST THE STEEL STEPS!
Taynara Conti looks to stay focused on the job at hand as she grabs Deonna back up and rolls her back into the ring before heading to the corner of the ring. She takes a few moments to climb to the top rope before hitting a DIVING METEORA! Conti makes the first cover of the match 1 2 Deonna kicks out! Conti has a smile on her face, though she has now gained the upper hand in this match! She grabs hold of Deonna’s right arm and looks to go after the hand… BUT DEONNA DESPARTELY FIGHTS HER OFF!
Deonna does not want to allow the champion to go after her right hand, which she has just recovered from an injury on. Conti stumbles back but looks to go for a SPIN KICK… PURRAZZO DUCKS AND PLANTS CONTI WITH A NECKBREAKER! Purrazzo makes a quick cover 1 Conti kicks out! Purrazzo is quick to transition after the kick out, she looks to grab the left of Conti and TWISTS IT ON THE MAT! Nigel notes she is setting up for the Venus de Milo as she grinds down Conti on the mat!
Conti tries to escape from the hold, but Purrazzo twists her around on the mat and connects with a KICK TO THE HEAD KEEPING HER DOWN! Purrazzo keeps the left arm down on the mat before STOMPING ON IT CAUSING CONTI TO SCREAM IN PAIN! Deonna has a smirk on her face as she now sees the opening to set up for her endgame and the Brazilian Badass on the mat knows she is in trouble. Purrazzo looks to carry on the assault… BUT CONTI COUNTERS WITH A JUDO THROW TO THE MAT!
Conti follows up by grabbing hold of the arms of Deonna, looking for the BRAZILIAN KICK… DEONNA KICKS THE LEFT ARM OF CONTI! She screams in pain as Deonna gets back to her feet and SLAMS HER DOWN TO THE MAT WITH A SNAP SUPLEX! Deonna makes the cover 1 2 Conti kicks out! Purrazzo smirks as she is now starting to feel in control of the match and looks to stay in control, once again getting Conti in a hold on the mat, targeting the left arm as she furthers the damage that has been done already!
Taynara is in a lot of pain on the mat as the commentary team notes that Deonna, for the most part, has been able to execute her plan perfectly and has the champion on the ropes! Deonna starts to transition the hold into an ARMBAR and wraps her body tight around the left arm of Conti! She is struggling in pain on the mat, but the champion moves her body, getting Deonna into a pinning predicament! 1 2 DEONNA BREAKS IT AND KICKS OUT! Conti though, gets some breathing room as she rolls to the ropes!
Deonna though doesn’t want Conti to get a break and looks to clock her as she tries to rise to her feet using the ring apron… CONTI COUNTERS AND LOCKS IN A HANGING ARMBAR! The champion wrenches on the hold, targeting the right arm and hand of Purrazzo, making full use of the 5 count before falling to the floor! Conti gets back to her feet and looks into the ring as Deonna winces in pain, grabbing her right arm, not happy about Conti targeting the recently injured hand!
Conti gets back to her feet and climbs onto the ring apron as Deonna tries to charge at her, but Conti counters with a HANGING SOCCER KICK TO THE HEAD! Deonna falls to the mat before Conti runs to the corner of the ring and climbs up top, waiting for Deonna to rise to her feet… DIVING CROSSBODY! Conti stays on for the cover 1 2 Deonna kicks out! Conti stretches out her left arm a bit due to the damage done before running the ropes, looking for a SOCCER KICK… DEONNA AVOIDS IT… CONTI HITS HER WITH BLACK MAGIC!
Conti makes the cover 1 2 Deonna kicks out! Conti is starting to gain a foothold in the match and looks to lay into her with a series of HARD KICKS PEPPERING HER CHALLENGE ON THE MAT! Conti finishes off the sequence by running off the ropes and hitting the SOCCER KICK THIS TIME! Conti makes the cover 1 2 Deonna kicks out! Conti gets back to her feet and looks to stay focused, seeing Deonna’s right hand on the mat… SO SHE STOMPS ON IT!
Deonna screams in pain due to the move from Conti, with Nigel McGuinness giving Taynara credit for targeting one of the main weapons in her opponent’s arsenal! Conti grabs hold of Deonna, bringing her off the mat before planting her with a TOMOE-NAGE! Conti keeps the moment going with a DOUBLE KNEES TO THE HEAD! Conti goes into the cover 1 2 Deonna kicks out! Conti is in total control and looks to grab hold of the arm of Deonna, looking to set up the TAY-LOCK… DEONNA COUNTERS WITH A SAMOAN DROP TO BREAK THE HOLD!
Deonna takes a moment to check her right hand, feeling the pain from the stomp, before looking at Conti with a face of fury! Conti slowly tries to get back to her feet and CONNECTS WITH A PUMP KICK TO THE HEAD! Deonna follows up with a cover 1 2 Conti kicks out! Purrazzo looks to stay on top of Conti as she lays into her with a few punches to the head before getting to her feet and follows up with a STANDING MOONSAULT! Deonna makes the cover 1 2 Conti kicks out!
Deonna is back in control of the match, but is still looking for a way to put down the champion! She grabs hold of Conti and even PULLS ON HER HAIR GETTING BOOS FROM THE CROWD! She looks to wrench Conti off the mat, but as the referee tells her off CONTI CATCHES HER WITH A PUNCH TO THE JAW! Deonna stumbles backward as Conti looks to carry on her flurry… BUT DEONNA GRABS THE LEFT ARM AND CONNECTS WITH AN ARM SNAPPER!
Conti winces in pain as Deonna ruthlessly follows up and leaps into the air, connecting with a JUMPING DOUBLE FOOT STOMP TO THE LEFT ARM! Deonna is starting to pick apart the champion and grabs the arms of Conti to lock her in a STRAIGHT JACKET SUBMISSION! Deonna wrenches back on the hold and puts a bunch of pressure on Conti, who is struggling in pain on the mat. Purrazzo is pulling back as she talks some trash to Conti… CONTI SMASHES THE BACK OF HER HEAD INTO DEONNA TILL SHE BREAKS THE HOLD!
Deonna rolls back, holding her jaw as Conti reacts quickly and runs the ropes before connecting with a BASEMENT DROPKICK to keep Deonna down! Conti makes the cover 1 2 Deonna kicks out! Conti sighs after the kick out and looks to get feeling in her left arm after the attack on it throughout the match by Deonna Purrazzo. She starts to lay into Purrazzo, looking to focus on using a series of SHOOT KICKS TO PURRAZZO… PURRAZZO COUNTERS GRABBING CONTI AND POWERBOMBS HER TO THE MAT!
Deonna makes the cover 1 2 Conti kicks out! Purrazzo is turning the match around just as Conti looks to be in control of the match and she looks to take advantage as she grabs hold of the left arm, ready to go for a FUJIWARA ARMBAR… BUT CONTI DESPERATELY LOOKS TO GET HER BODY ON THE BOTTOM ROPE STOPPING DEONNA FROM GETTING TO LOCK IT IN! Deonna responds to this, though by slamming down the arm before STOMPING ON IT AGAIN!
The referee tells Deonna to back off, which she does with a smirk on her face, feeling in total control of the match and that she is close to becoming WWE Women’s Champion tonight. Conti struggles back to her feet as Deonna looks to charge in BUT CONTI FENDS HER OFF! She looks to go for a TILT-A-WHIRL DDT BUT DEONNA COUNTERS AND SLAMS HER INTO THE CORNER OF THE RING! Conti slumps in the corner of the ring as Deonna rolls out of the ring and grabs the left arm… SLAMMING IT INTO THE RING POST!
Conti screams in pain as Michael Cole and Beth Phoenix say Deonna is getting more vindictive as the match goes on. Nigel McGunniness says Deonna is just doing whatever she needs to if it means walking out with the gold and he would resort to similar measures during his heyday. Deonna would then look to grab hold of Conti to go for a RING-POST SHARPSHOOTER…
BUT CONTI WOULD KICK HER OFF! The Brazilian would then get to her feet and climb up top before WIPING OUT DEONNA OUTSIDE WITH A DIVING CROSSBODY! Loud cheers from the crowd for the high-risk move as Conti rests by the barricade for a moment. She looks at Deonna and considers rolling her back into the ring… but shakes her head as she slides back inside herself whilst the referee starts to count the challenger out!
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5
6
7
Deonna starts to stir
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She slides back into the ring, beating the count…
CONTI CATCHES DEONNA WITH A BICYCLE KNEE! Conti drags Deonna away from the ropes and makes the cover 1 2 Deonna kicks out! The commentary team makes note of Taynara using her brains to gain an edge in this match and potentially turn the tide! She grabs her arm, winces slightly before looking to the top rope as she has an idea! Conti steadies herself on the top rope as she lines up Deonna before going for a 450 SPLASH… DEONNA ROLLS OUT OF THE WAY AND CONTI CRASHES AND BURNS!
Conti screams in pain as Deonna smirks and grabs her from behind as she tries to rise, planting her with a RUSSIAN LEGSWEEP… TRANSITIONING INTO A FUJIWARA ARMBAR ON THE LEFT ARM! Deonna has the hold locked in as she puts a ton of pressure on the already damaged arm and looks to finish off the work she has been doing throughout the match. The commentary notes that this submission hold is lethal enough, but Deonna will be looking to get it into the VENUS DE MILO to make sure Conti has no escape!
Deonna is wrenching it back and Conti is in a ton of agony as she tries to find a way to escape from Deonna’s grasp! The challenger pulls back on it but seems to realize that Conti is not going to tap to the Fujiwara armbar alone, so she weakens her grip slightly to reach for the other hand! She looks to grab hold of it with her body going back slightly… CONTI COUNTERS INTO A PINNING PREDICTMENT!
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Winner via pinfall and still WWE Women’s Champion: Taynara Conti (12:52)
Deonna gets her shoulder up just after the 3 count, but it is too late as Conti has found a way to escape tonight’s WWE Women’s title match with the title still around her waist! Conti rolls to the corner, clutching her left arm whilst Deonna looks furious!
Michael Cole: Taynara Conti has done it again and has found a way to keep the WWE Women’s title around her waist.
Beth Phoenix: Conti saw an opportunity as Purrazzo looked to lock in the Venus de Milo and caught Deonna out!
Nigel McGunniness: I have to give Conti credit for showing why she is the champion; she saw her title reign was in danger and did what was needed to stay champion!
Taynara Conti grabs her title and walks up the entrance ramp, lifting the WWE Women’s title into the air with her right arm. She has her eyes over her shoulder, but sees her tag team partner XIA LI walk out, meaning the coast is clear for now regarding a cash-in by Ember Moon.
Michael Cole: Seems like Ember Moon is choosing to focus on the Queen of the Ring tournament tonight.
Nigel McGunniness: Why risk hurting herself when she has 3 matches to go through tonight if she wants to be Queen?
Beth Phoenix: Nigel is right, I could not think of a worse idea when trying to become Queen than picking fights elsewhere the same night.
We cut back to the ring one final time as we can see Deonna Purrazzo still arguing with the referee before we cut to the backstage area as…
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KAYLA BRAXTON is standing ready for an interview! She welcomes her guests at this time IYO SKY and ZOEY STARK! Zoey has a smile on her face, whilst Iyo looks a lot more serious and focused. Kayla says tonight is a big opportunity for the tag team, prompting a nod from Zoey, who agrees and is full of respect for the champions. She says while she was working her way to the WWE, she was a big fan of both of them, calling them trailblazers for the Women’s division.
Iyo Sky has a different view, saying she has traveled the World before coming to WWE, and while they are great, she is better. Kayla says Iyo has experience as a champion before having won the NXT Women’s title. She asks Zoey if she is nervous because if they win, it would be her first gold in WWE. Zoey shakes her head, saying not only does she have a partner she trusts, but this is a huge opportunity which she plans to take advantage of. Kayla thanks them both for their time before we cut back to the ring for the 2nd match of the night.
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LYRA VALKYRIA walks out getting a decent pop from the live crowd. The Irish Superstar walks out to the ring in her signature bird-themed outfit and poses for the fans before heading to the ring for a huge match so early in her career.
Nigel McGuinness: For those of you who haven’t been watching NXT UK, Lyra is one of the hottest young prospects on the brand and a dark horse to win this entire tournament in my book.
Michael Cole: Lyra was trained by WWE superstars Finn Balor and Becky Lynch. I wonder if the man gave her a few tips leading into tonight.
Beth Phoenix: As someone who had my share of fights by Becky’s side and against Becky, she would be one hell of a teacher, but Lyra will need to stand on her own two feet tonight.
Nigel McGuinness: Lyra has already shown she can hang with top-level superstars, defeating Mia Yim and Kay Lee Ray to make it to this quarter-final.
Michael Cole: Kay Lee Ray, who holds the record for the longest NXT UK Women’s Champion at 572 days.
Beth Phoenix: But she faces Naomi on a mission from the Bloodline and she knows failure is not an option tonight!
NAOMI walks out onto the entrance ramp, getting boos from the crowd, but she looks at the fans with disdain before walking to the ring all business.
Beth Phoenix: Naomi comes into tonight having been told by Roman Reigns himself that there will be consequences if she does not leave tonight, Queen of the Ring!
Nigel McGuinness: And Roman Reigns is not someone you want to cross. Everyone saw what he had done to brittle Bryan.
Michael Cole: Brittle Bryan?
Nigel McGuinness: It’s what I’ve always known him as, from the days when he would fight me in Ring of Honour. It’s why he left there and came to WWE: to escape from me.
Beth Phoenix: Back on track, Naomi will have a ton of pressure on her shoulders tonight, but as a former 2-time Women’s Champion, she is used to it.
Michael Cole: Naomi is used to the pressure, but the threat from Roman might lead to her making a mistake, and Lyra is good enough to take advantage of an error in judgment during the match by Naomi.
Naomi steps into the ring as she gives Lyra a dirty look when the Irish superstar looks to offer a handshake. Both women stand in their respective corners before the referee calls for the bell to get the first quarter final match underway!
Queen of the Ring quarter-final:
Lyra Valkyria vs Naomi
The bell rings and both women waste little time as they meet in the middle of the ring, trading strikes with one another! Naomi gets a bit caught off guard as Lyra starts to take control of the battle and manages to send Naomi into the corner of the ring with an IRISH WHIP! Lyra looks to charge in and clobber Naomi… BUT SHE AVOIDS IT HITTING A PENDULUM KICK OUT OF THE CORNER! Lyra stumbles backward as Naomi climbs up top before hitting Lyra with a DIVING CROSSBODY! Naomi stays on for the cover 1 Lyra kicks out!
Naomi will have to do more to finish off the NXT UK superstar, but she knows that going in, as she starts to lay into Lyra as she tries to get up with a series of CLINCH KNEES! She peppers the mid-section of Lyra, working over ribs… LYRA COUNTERS WITH A DRAGON SCREW LEG WHIP SENDING NAOMI DOWN TO THE MAT! Lyra gets back to her feet and follows up with a STANDING BASEMENT DROPKICK TO NAOMI! Lyra makes the cover 1 Naomi kicks out!
Lyra gets back to a kneeling position as she lays into Naomi with a few strikes to the head before lifting her off the mat but Naomi counters with an INVERTED FALLING DDT! Naomi makes the cover 1 Lyra kicks out! The commentary team mentions that everyone will be trying to win as quickly as possible, knowing that if they want to become Queen, they will need to win 3 matches tonight! Naomi looks at Lyra with a look of disdain before running the ropes looking for a DROPKICK…
BUT LYRA MOVES OUT OF THE WAY JUST IN TIME! Lyra gets back to her feet and catches Naomi with a SPINNING HEEL KICK AS SHE TRIES TO GET BACK UP! Lyra makes the cover 1 2 Naomi kicks out! Lyra gets the crowd behind her, showing she can hang with one of the best on SmackDown Live as she pulls Naomi off the mat, looking to get her up for NIGHTWING… BUT NAOMI FIGHTS OUT OF IT DESPERATELY WITH A KNEE TO THE HEAD FORCING LYRA TO LET GO!
Lyra stumbles backwards as Naomi quickly follows up with an ENZUGIRI! Lyra falls to the mat and Naomi jumps into the air, hitting a SPILT-LEGGED LEG DROP ON THE PRONE LYRA! Naomi stays on for the cover 1 2 Lyra kicks out! Lyra tries to get back to her feet, but Naomi wants to keep her down on the mat and runs the ropes, hitting a DOUBLE KNEE SMASH TO LYRA’S FACE! Naomi makes the cover once again 1 2 Lyra kicks out! Naomi though, senses she is getting closer to the semi-finals!
Naomi looks to keep the pressure up and lift Lyra off the mat as she slams her back down to the mat with a SNAP SUPLEX! Naomi makes another quick cover 1 2 Lyra kicks out! Naomi has a smirk on her face and feels she has Lyra where she wants her before climbing to the top rope, ready to go for the SPILT-LEGGED MOONSAULT! She looks to fly off the top rope and dive onto Lyra… BUT SHE AVOIDS IT AND ROLLS NAOMI INTO A CRUCFIX PIN!
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NAOMI KICKS OUT!
Lyra nearly caught Naomi out and advanced to the semi-finals! Naomi looks furious and wild, looking to swing at Lyra, but Lyra fires back with a series of strikes! Naomi is rocked with Lyra being the superior striker in this match before following up with a BRIDGING NORTHERN LIGHTS SUPLEX! 1 2 Naomi kicks out! Lyra gets the crowd behind her and has a smile on her face as she lines up Naomi and grabs hold of her, teasing that she is going to go for MAN DOWN… NAOMI HITS A HURRICARANA TO ESCAPE!
Naomi had a close call and she knows it as she gets back to her feet, seeing Lyra by the ropes… RUNNING HIP ATTACK TO KEEP HER DOWN! Naomi follows up with a series of kicks as Lyra clings to the ropes whilst the referee tells her off… BUT NAOMI DRAGS LYRA AWAY AND SLAMS HER DOWN TO THE MAT WITH A SNAP SUPLEX! Naomi makes the cover 1 2 Lyra kicks out! Naomi looks annoyed but focused on the job, laying into her with a series of punches to the head, showing a lot of aggression right now!
The referee gives her a warning, but Naomi doesn’t care as she gets back to her feet and taunts the crowd, telling them she is going to be the Queen of the Bloodline! Naomi sees Lyra getting to a kneeling position and looks to get her legs around the head of Lyra, locking in SLAY-O-MISSION (Head-scissors crucifix choke hold)! Naomi is wrenching on the hold here as she looks to force a tap out from the Irish superstar, wrenching around the neck of the challenger!
Lyra is in a lot of pain and you can see it on her face but she doesn’t want to give up in this match and looks to try to get to the ropes… BUT NAOMI HAS IT LOCKED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE RING! Lyra grits her teeth and knows she is either going to have to tap out or power her way out of the hold! Lyra uses all of her strength to get to her feet before planting Naomi with a GUTWRENCH POWERBOMB TO BREAK THE HOLD! Lyra rolls over onto Naomi and makes the cover 1 2 Naomi kicks out!
Lyra rolls off Naomi and lies next to her on the mat for a few seconds as she thinks about what to attempt next! The commentary team notes that Lyra is really holding her own with a former Women’s Champion tonight. Lyra gets to her feet as she lines up the slowly rising Naomi, ready and swings her foot around CONNECTING WITH A ROUNDHOUSE KICK TO THE HEAD! Naomi falls to the mat and Lyra makes the cover
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Naomi kicks out!
Lyra shakes her head and sighs, disappointed that she did not finish the job and get her into the semi-finals! Lyra doesn’t pout or argue, instead heading to the corner of the ring and climbing to the top rope! She lines up Naomi and dives off the top rope, going for a FROG SPLASH… KNEES UP FROM NAOMI TO BLOCK IT! Naomi gets to her feet and grabs hold of Lyra before slamming her head into the mat… FINAL CUT DDT! Naomi makes the cover
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Lyra kicks out!
Naomi looks angry but looks to grab hold of the head of Lyra as she tries to get back to her feet, locking her in a HEAD-SCISSORS POSITION AGAIN BUT IS READY TO GO FOR FEEL THE GLOW… BUT LYRA GETS HER HANDS ON THE MAT IN TIME TO BLOCK IT! Lyra presses off the mat and looks to go for a GUTWRENCH POWERBOMB AGAIN… BUT NAOMI SENDS LYRA INTO THE TURNBUCKLES! Lyra stumbles back into the REAR VIEW from Naomi! Naomi then heads to the corner behind Lyra and climbs up top, hitting a SPLIT-LEGGED MOONSAULT! Naomi pulls Lyra away from the corner as she hooks the leg!
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Winner via pinfall: Naomi (8:53)
Naomi gets to her feet, but there are no smiles from her; she knows there is still business for her to take care of tonight. Lyra Valkyria struggles on the mat and looks disappointed to have come up short in tonight’s match.
Michael Cole: Naomi advances to the semi-finals of the Queen of the Ring!
Beth Phoenix: You could sense that she was under pressure, but Naomi handled it and now is two matches away from taking on my crown!
Nigel McGuinness: The Bloodline has high standards and they want to reign supreme over everything. Nothing except total success is seen as good enough.
Naomi heads up the entrance ramp, starting to celebrate the victory a bit more now, before we cut back to the ring. Lyra Valkyria gets back to her feet, leaning on the ropes with a slightly sad smile.
Michael Cole: A good showing from the NXT UK superstar and I think she has a bright future in the WWE based on her performance tonight!
Nigel McGuinness: She is one hell of a talent and you can catch more of her every Thursday Night on the WWE Network!
Beth Phoenix: And we will shortly find out who will meet her in the semi-final as Bianca Belair takes on Natalya, but first, we have Cathy Kelley standing backstage ready for an interview.
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CATHY KELLEY is standing in the interview area and we can see her quest at this time is CHARLOTTE FLAIR! The Queen has a smug look on her face as always and there is an air of confidence from her ahead of her Women’s Universal title match tonight. Cathy asks Charlotte how she is feeling ahead of her title match later on tonight, with the 9-time former Champion saying winning titles is in her blood as a Flair and tonight is just another day at the office for her, where she will become the first-ever 10-time Women’s Champion!
Cathy asks if Charlotte Flair has fully recovered from the injury she suffered in the lead-up to WrestleMania and Charlotte nods. She says it hurt her so much to miss the biggest show of the year and be forced to give up her title, but that means she never lost it, calling Ripley a false champion. Cathy then asks Charlotte if she has a game plan tonight and Charlotte says she is going to inflict the same pain that she suffered when she had to miss WrestleMania before snatching back her Women’s Universal title!
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NATALYA walks out getting boos from the live crowd, but the Queen of Harts doesn’t care, heading to the ring with a pink and black MMA Horsewomen jacket on. Natalya takes her time walking to the ring before making a point to go right by the commentary desk and mouth off at her former tag team partner!
Beth Phoenix: Why don’t you focus on your match unless you want me to kick your ass one more time, Nattie?
Nigel McGuinness: Beth, you know the rules of the Queen of the Ring tournament; no one is allowed to interfere or be at ringside!
Michael Cole: To be fair to Beth, technically the match hasn’t even started yet…
Nigel McGuinness: Don’t give her ideas, Michael!
Beth Phoenix: It’s fine guys, I will stay here and have a front row seat to Natalya getting her ass kicked! Just don’t expect any impartiality during this match from me!
Michael Cole: Well Natalya is a two-time Divas and tag team champion in WWE, plus she comes from the legendary Hart Family, so some would argue this kind of tournament is in her blood!
BIANCA BELAIR skips out onto the entrance ramp and gets loud cheers from the live crowd, flicking her hair as she heads to the ring. She has a cocky smile on her face and doesn’t take her eyes off Natalya as she climbs onto the ring apron before getting into the ring.
Beth Phoenix: You can talk about the past accolades of Natalya; she will do it enough for everyone but Belair is the future and there is a reason she is bookmakers' favourite to win this whole tournament.
Michael Cole: She is a former NXT Women’s Champion and has been this close to breaking through to become WWE Women’s Champion on SmackDown.
Nigel McGuinness: Be that as it may and as great as Belair is, she faces a tough challenge in the quarter-finals with a crafty veteran like Natalya across the ring from her.
Michael Cole: Natalya knows how to target the limbs of her opponents and even if you get past her, you risk going into future rounds with a target for your future opponents.
Nigel McGuinness: Plus, Natalya will have gotten advice from her family on how to handle 3 matches in 1 night from Bret Hart.
Beth Phoenix: I think even Bret is sick of his niece at this point, Nigel.
Bianca Belair stands in the ring across from Natalya as the two women start to talk trash to each other before the referee calls for the bell after the initial introductions are finished!
Queen of the Ring quarter-final:
Bianca Belair vs Natalya
Both women start the match at a slow pace as they circle the ring, taking their time to assess their opponent. Natalya looks to go in and tries to bring Belair down to the mat to work over her, but Belair overpowers Natalya and SLAMS HER DOWN TO THE MAT! Belair looks to make her way over for the cover, but Natalya rolls out of the ring, smirking to herself whilst the crowd shits on her (as does Beth on commentary). Belair keeps her cool, waiting in the ring for Natalya to make her way back inside.
Natalya takes her time to make her way back into the ring as Belair looks to go right after Natalya, but she backs away from them and goes back through the ropes! Belair tells Natalya to stop being a coward, but the Queen of Harts wags her finger and mocks Bianca Belair from the outside. The referee tells Belair to calm down as the referee starts to count Natalya out, but she smirks, taking her time to get back into the ring once again. Natalya eventually rolls back into the ring as Belair goes right after her… NATALYA ROLLS OUT ONE MORE TIME!
The crowd is now furious, and Beth Phoenix gets up from the commentary desk to shout at Natalya! The Queen of Harts fires some words back as Natalya is distracted by focusing on her former tag team partner. Belair rolls out of the ring and grabs Natalya from behind before SENDING NATALYA INTO THE STEEL STEPS WITH AN IRISH WHIP! Natayla falls with a hard thud as the crowd loudly cheers for the Queen of Harts getting some comeuppance!
Beth takes a seat back on commentary with Nigel, furious that she got involved in the match, but she stands by the fact that she never left the commentary desk, shrugging with a slight smile on her face. Belair meanwhile, grabs hold of Natalya and rolls her back into the ring, looking to get things back on track! Natalya tries to roll away from Belair, but the E.S.T. picks her up off the mat before SLAMMING HER DOWN WITH A VERTICAL SUPLEX! Belair makes the cover 1 2 Natalya kicks out!
Belair has a slight smirk on her face now, having taken total control of the match and picks up Natalya before sending her into the corner of the ring with an Irish Whip! Natalya’s back bounces off the turnbuckles in the corner before Belair follows up with a series of CLOTHESLINES IN THE CORNER OF THE RING! Belair lays Natalya hard in the corner as Natalya slumps a bit in the corner before Belair connects with a SPEAR IN THE CORNER OF THE RING CRUSHING HER RIBS!
Natalya is in a ton of pain as Belair has taken total control of this match early on and brings her out of the corner, lifting her up for a DELAYED VERTICAL SUPLEX! Belair slams Natalya down onto the mat before following up with a cover 1 2 Natalya kicks out! Belair grabs hold of Natalya again, looking to stay in control and even taunts her about wanting to spend time outside the ring, so she picks her up overhead and MILITARY PRESS TOSSES HER OUT OF THE RING TO THE FLOOR!
Bianca Belair climbs onto the ring apron as she can see Natalya trying to get back to her feet… AND BOOTS HER IN THE CHEST SENDING HER INTO THE BARRICADE! Bianca Belair hops off the ring apron and connects with a SHOULDER BLOCK INTO THE RIBS OF NATALYA! Belair grabs hold of Natalya before sending her into the ring apron with a thud! The commentary team notes how in control of the match Belair is and she might get into the semi-finals without breaking a sweat!
Bianca grabs Natalya and rolls her back into the ring before following after her as she picks up Natalya, ready to go for the K.O.D… NATALYA SLIDES BEHIND HER AND ESCAPES BY PULLING THE HAIR OF BELAIR! The crowd boos loudly for the cheap move, and the referee tells Natalya off, but she doesn’t care, using it as an opportunity to hit Belair with NATTIE BY NATURE! The clothesline knocks Belair down as Natalya quickly follows up with a cover 1 2 Belair kicks out!
Natalya has a smile on her face as she knows that, thanks to her cheap shot using the hair on Belair, she can start to take control of this encounter. She grabs hold of Belair, locking her in a CHIN LOCK as she grinds down the E.S.T. Natalya wrenches on the hold as Belair looks to fight out of it and slowly tries to get to her feet to power out… SO NATALYA TRANSITIONS INTO AN ABDOMINAL STRETCH! She keeps her in the chin lock, but now she is working over the back and mid-section of Belair!
Belair is struggling in the hold as Natalya does her best to make sure it hurts and really weakens the favourite in this tournament. Belair though manages to use her power to attempt to break free from the hold… BUT NATALYA COUNTERS WITH A GERMAN SUPLEX SLAMMING BELAIR DOWN! Natalya follows up with a cover pressing on the back 1 2 Belair kicks out! Natalya gets back to her feet and runs the ropes before connecting with a BASEMENT DROPKICK TO THE SPINE!
Natalya is targeting the back, knowing that not only does it set up for the sharpshooter to end this match, but it will also make the signature power moves of the E.S.T. much harder to do. Natalya looks to go back on the attack as she grabs hold of Belair and locks her in a BOW AND ARROW STRETCH as she wrenches back on the hold! Natalya makes sure to drive her knee into the spine of Belair, wrenching it back and trying to inflict as much pain as possible on the E.S.T.!
Bianca struggles in pain but tries to find a way to escape, leading to Natalya transitioning the hold and connecting with a BACKBREAKER cutting her off again! Natalya makes another cover 1 2 Belair kicks out! Belair is struggling on the mat and is on her knees as she tries to get back into this match. Natalya gets to her feet next to her and CATCHES BELAIR WITH A WICKED SLAP TO THE FACE! A disrespectful move as the commentary team wonders if pissing off Belair is a good idea, but Natalya doesn’t seem worried at all!
Belair rises to her feet, furious and looks to charge in at Natalya but she counters, sending the E.S.T. into the turnbuckles in the corner of the ring with a BELLY TO BACK SUPLEX! Belair’s back hits the corner of the ring, wincing in pain due to this. Belair slumps in the corner as Natalya runs the ropes before connecting with a BASEMENT DROPKICK as she is pressed against the bottom turnbuckles! Natalya rolls her out of the corner before making the cover 1 2 Belair kicks out!
Natalya then heads to the corner of the ring with a smile on her face and climbs up to Bret’s rope (middle rope) before diving off with an ELBOW DROP to the midsection of Belair! Natalya makes another cover 1 2 Belair kicks out! Natalya has a cocky smirk on her face and turns to face Beth Phoenix on commentary, throwing some insults at her before looking to lock in THE SHARPSHOOTER! She grabs hold of the legs of Belair, ready to lock it in… BUT BELAIR KICKS HER OFF SENDING HER INTO THE ROPES!
Belair struggles back to her feet, grabbing hold of her back, but still manages to connect with a BIG BOOT dropping a charging Natalya! Belair makes the cover 1 2 Natalya kicks out! Belair winces due to the damage done to her during the match, but she looks to stay focused, determined to become Queen of the Ring and go to Summerslam to fight for the Women’s title! She grabs Natalya as she starts to lay into her with a few FOREARM SMASHES on the mat, peppering the self-proclaimed Queen of Harts!
Belair grabs hold of Natalya and lifts her off the mat before hitting her with a SLINGSHOT SUPLEX OFF THE ROPES! Belair makes the cover 1 2 Natalya kicks out! Natalya stays alive in this match as Belair winces in pain, with each move starting to hurt him more as the match goes on. Belair heads to the corner of the ring and slowly climbs to the top rope, ready to line up Natalya… BUT THE QUEEN OF HARTS GETS BACK TO HER FEET LAYING INTO HER WITH A SERIES OF STRIKES UP TOP!
Natalya looks to grab hold of Belair as the fight carries on up top before teasing going for a SUPERPLEX… BELAIR FIGHTS BACK AND EVEN HEADBUTTS NATALYA SENDING HER FALLING BACK OFF THE TOP ROPE TO THE RING BELOW! Natalya lies on the mat and Belair flies off, connecting with a FROG SPLASH! Belair makes the cover 1 2 Natalya kicks out! Belair rolls off of Natalya and uses the ropes to get back to her feet as she sizes up Natalya, ready to end this!
She waits for Natalya to get back to her feet before lifting her up, ready to go for the K.O.D… NATALYA COUNTERS WITH A NECKBREAKER DROPPING BELAIR TO THE MAT! Natalya follows up with a quick cover on Belair 1 2 Belair kicks out! Natalya looks annoyed as she knows she was close to losing this match and looks to go back on the attack as she grabs hold of Belair and LOCKS HER IN A BACKBREAKER SUBMISSION!
Natalya wrenches on the hold and puts as much pressure on the back of Belair as she looks to force her to tap out! Belair is in a bunch of pain and looks to try to escape from the hold as she slowly looks to power out of the hold… BUT NATALYA COUNTERS SENDING HER INTO THE ROPES! Natalya gets back to her feet and grabs hold of Natalya, sending her into the mat with a SNAP GERMAN SUPLEX! Natalya makes the cover 1 2 Belair kicks out!
Natalya punches the mat as Belair refuses to go down easily in the fight to become Queen of the Ring! The commentary team notes that Natalya needs to keep her cool or she might miss out on a huge opportunity to follow in her family’s footsteps. Natalya looks at Belair in a seated position, connecting with a STOMP TO THE BACK! Natalya is not done there as she runs the ropes and connects with a BASEMENT DROPKICK TO THE FACE keeping Belair down! Natalya makes the cover 1 2 Belair kicks out!
Natalya grabs hold of Belair and looks to start CHOKING THE LIFE OUT OF HER WITH A REAR NAKED CHOKE! Belair struggles to get back to a standing position due to the damage done to the back as Natalya looks directly at Beth again on commentary, winding the SmackDown Live commentator up further! Belair though has no intention of giving up and manages to flip her legs over to GET NATALYA IN A PINNING PREDICAMENT!
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NATALYA LETS GO OF THE HOLD AND KICKS OUT!
Belair rolls to the ropes as Natalya looks furious that she was nearly caught out and charged at Belair… SPEAR! Belair drops the Queen of Harts to the mat and makes the cover
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NATALYA KICKS OUT!
Belair grabs hold of Natalya after the kick out and starts to fire off a series of FOREMAN SMASHES! She then grabs hold of Natalya and picks her up before MILITARY PRESS TOSSING HER INTO THE CORNER OF THE RING FOR SNAKE EYES! Natalya’s head bounces off the turnbuckles before falling back towards Belair, who grabs hold of Natalya and lifts her up… HITTING HER WITH A GLAM SLAM! Beth Phoenix cheers Belair for using her finisher on Natalya as Belair hooks the leg!
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NATALYA KICKS OUT!
The crowd is disappointed that she was able to survive, but Belair just nods to herself, confident in her ability to still get the job done. She grabs hold of Natalya and gets ready to finish her off BUT NATALYA COUNTERS HITTING A RUSSIAN LEGSWEEP SLAMMING BELAIR DOWN… BEFORE TRANSITIONING INTO THE SHARPSHOOTER! Natalya wrenches the hold back and puts a ton of pressure on the back of Belair, with the ropes to the back of her!
Belair feels the pain from the famous move and tries to power out of the hold, but the damage to her back is becoming too much! She raises her arm into the air, but refuses to give up just like that! She sees the ropes across the ring and starts to crawl towards them as Natalya pulls even harder on the hold! Belair is inches away from the bottom rope now as Natalya pulls one last time… BUT BELAIR GRABS THE BOTTOM ROPE AND FORCES A BREAK!
Natalya makes sure to cling onto the hold until the count of 4 before finally letting go of Belair! Natalya looks furious and almost shocked that she wasn’t able to put away the E.S.T., but recomposes herself as she makes her way back over towards the ropes! She grabs hold of Belair and drags her back towards the middle of the ring before planting her with a REVERSE POWERBOMB! Natalya makes the cover
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BELAIR KICKS OUT!
Natalya looks furious and even argues with the referee, trying to claim it was a 3 count! Beth comments that when they were tag team partners, Natalya would always try to find someone else to blame for her failings! She grabs hold of Belair on the mat before turning to Beth on commentary and mockingly shouting this is for her! She grabs Belair off the mat and is ready to go for the GLAM SLAM… BELAIR FIGHTS OUT OF IT AND PICKS UP NATALYA BEFORE SLAMMING HER DOWN WITH THE K.O.D! Belair makes the cover
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Winner via pinfall: Bianca Belair (14:44)
The crowd goes wild as Bianca Belair advances to the semi-finals of Queen of the Ring! Bianca Belair looks to use the ropes to get back to her feet, wincing in pain due to the damage done to her back by the Queen of Harts throughout this match.
Michael Cole: Bianca Belair has done it, and she advances to the semi-finals of Queen of the Ring!
Beth Phoenix: I can’t begin to tell you both how much joy this brings me to see Natalya fall short tonight!
Nigel McGuinness: All bias aside, Bianca Belair showed a lot of heart tonight and fought through the damage that was done to her to advance to the semi-finals!
Natalya gets to her feet in the ring and looks furious as she points towards the commentary team, shouting some abuse at Beth Phoenix. Meanwhile, Bianca Belair heads to the back to get ready for her next match later tonight.
Beth Phoenix: Natalya, you can run your mouth all you want, but you ain’t getting my crown!
Nigel McGuinness: I think Beth, it would be time to focus on the people still in the tournament, and I, for one, cannot wait for Bianca Belair versus Naomi later on tonight!
Michael Cole: Well, before we get to that, we have Kayla Braxton standing with the WWE Women’s Champion, ready for an interview!
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We cut to KAYLA BRAXTON, who is standing in the interview set with a microphone in hand, with the WWE WOMEN’S CHAMPION TAYNARA CONTI standing next to her with a smile on her face! Kayla congratulated Conti on her victory earlier tonight, prompting a thank you from the Brazilian. Kayla asks what it was like trying to overcome someone like Deonna Purrazzo, and the champion says that Deonna was a smart and tough competitor. However, she feels the challenger underestimated her tonight, and she proved a lot of doubters wrong by keeping this around her waist!
Taynara adjusts the title on her waist with a slight smile before Kayla asks her thoughts ahead of the WWE draft. Taynara says that whilst she has the belt, she wants to be a fighting champion ready to take on anyone who wants to step up and fight her for this! She lifts it as we can hear clapping coming from the background and the camera pans over to show it is coming from MRS MONEY IN THE BANK EMBER MOON! She has a smirk on her face and holds up the Money in the Bank briefcase!
Conti asks what Ember wants, but Mrs Money in the Bank just smirks and tells Conti that she just wanted to remind the champion that she was on borrowed time. Taynara replies, asking if that's so and Ember nods, saying tonight she gets her second guaranteed title shot, so it’s just a matter of when Ember takes her title from her. Conti says she is happy to fight Ember in the ring right now, but she shakes her head, saying she is a bit busy right now as she has to focus on becoming Queen and walks off, ending the interview!
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LIV MORGAN makes her way out to a loud pop from the live crowd with a smile on her face as she skips to the ring. She slaps hands with a few fans in the front few rows before climbing through the ropes, ready for her quarter-final match.
Michael Cole: Liv Morgan comes into this match with a smile on her face, but do you think there are any nerves behind it, Nigel?
Nigel McGuinness: I think it would only be natural for Liv Morgan to be a little nervous because this could be the biggest night of her career so far.
Beth Phoenix: A talented performer, but she has yet to hold gold in the WWE.
Nigel McGuinness: She has had to fight back from injury to return to the ring and I know first-hand how hard that can be!
Michael Cole: We also know that the Blackhearted Witches have been banned from the building tonight to make sure they don’t try anything between the matches for Liv Morgan.
Beth Phoenix: Well, she will have to get past Ember Moon before worrying about any future matches tonight!
EMBER MOON makes her way out next with a cocky smirk on her face and lifts her Money in the Bank briefcase into the air, soaking in the loud boos from the live crowd. She takes her time walking to the ring, keeping her focus on Liv Morgan.
Beth Phoenix: Ember Moon has been making her presence felt as Mrs Money in the Bank ever since she won the briefcase at WrestleMania 37 earlier this year.
Nigel McGuinness: Ember is a former NXT Champion and former WWE Women’s Champion as well. She knows how to win gold, something Liv Morgan has yet to achieve in her career.
Michael Cole: But will the weight of expectations actually favour Liv Morgan as the underdog in this encounter?
Beth Phoenix: I think the cockiness from Ember Moon is more likely to play a factor and she might take Liv Morgan lightly.
Nigel McGuinness: Ember Moon knows how good she is, but sometimes that can play against you, thinking you have everything wrapped up before the bell even rings.
Michael Cole: I think any mistake from Ember Moon tonight and Liv Morgan will be ready to take advantage!
Ember Moon steps into the ring after putting the Money in the Bank briefcase by the steel steps. The referee checks Ember Moon due to how she won on SmackDown a couple of weeks ago, before calling for the bell to get this quarter-final underway!
Queen of the Ring quarter-final:
Ember Moon vs Liv Morgan
Ember talks trash to Liv Morgan, who ignores her at the start of the match. Ember dares Liv Morgan to come at her, which Liv takes her time to do before charging at Ember Moon, who looks to catch her with a FOREARM SMASH… LIV AVOIDS IT WITH A MATRIX EVASION! Liv follows up with a LEG SWEEP bringing Ember crashing down to the mat! Liv Morgan then runs off the ropes and connects with a BASEMENT DROPKICK! Liv follows up with a quick cover 1 Ember kicks out!
Liv looks to stay on the attack, knowing she will need to keep the pressure up on Ember Moon and lays into her with a series of kicks… BUT EMBER GRABS HOLD OF HER AND CONNECTS WITH A POWERBOMB SLAMMING LIV MORGAN DOWN TO THE MAT! Ember Moon cackles and taunts Liv Morgan, not making a cover just yet! She grabs hold of Liv Morgan by the hair and lays into her with some BRUTAL FOREARM SMASHES TO THE HEAD!
She lays into Liv Morgan with hard strikes before picking up Liv Morgan and tossing her across the ring with a SNAP SUPLEX! Ember makes the cover 1 2 Liv kicks out! Ember just smirks, feeling like this match is already in hand and grabs hold of Liv Morgan before SENDING HER FLYING INTO THE RING POST IN THE CORNER! Liv screams in pain as she stumbles backward and Ember follows up with a FOREARM SMASH IN THE CORNER OF THE RING!
Liv slumps in the corner of the ring as Ember Moon sticks her arms in the air, further tormenting the crowd before running to the other corner and hitting a HANDSPRING CORNER ELBOW TO THE HEAD! Liv slumps in the corner of the ring before Ember drags her out of the corner and SLAMS HER BACK DOWN TO THE MAT! Ember makes the cover 1 2 Liv kicks out! Ember is in total control and tells Liv she should just give up now… LIV SLAPS HER IN THE FACE SENDING HER BACK!
Ember Moon stumbles back, clutching her face and looks furious, but Liv Morgan gets back to her feet, laying into Ember with a flurry of punches to the head, sending Mrs Money in the Bank backwards before running the ropes and connects with a DROPKICK SENDING EMBER MOON TO THE OUTSIDE OF THE RING! Liv Morgan then runs the ropes and DIVES TO THE OUTSIDE WIPING OUT EMBER MOON TO CHEERS FROM THE CROWD!
Liv Morgan looks fired up and grabs hold of Ember as she rolls Mrs Money in the Bank back into the ring before heading up top and catching Ember with a DIVING FACEBUSTER! Liv Morgan rolls Ember over and makes the cover 1 2 Ember kicks out! The crowd is behind Liv Morgan, who lines up Ember and looks to go for a STANDING MOONSAULT… EMBER MOON GETS HER KNEES UP BLOCKING IT! Liv gets back to her feet, clutching her ribs and Ember HITS A FOREARM SMASH DROPPING HER!
Ember Moon looks angry that Liv Morgan had even given her a fight during this match and looks to make Morgan pay for this “slight” by booting her on the mat with a series of STOMPS! The crowd boos Ember Moon for this and even the referee tells her off for this but Ember doesn’t care, tossing Liv Morgan into the ropes… HITTING A POP-UP POWERBOMB! Ember Moon makes the cover 1 2 Morgan kicks out! Ember though, doesn’t let us grab hold of Liv and LOOKS TO TRY TO GET HER IN THE LUNAR LOCK!
Ember tries to get her trapped in the lethal hold, but Liv Morgan fights with everything she has to stay out of the hold! She boots Ember in the head several times before sending Ember Moon backward… BUT EMBER RESPONDS BY TAKING HER HEAD OFF WITH A LARIAT! Liv does a full spin in the air before crashing to the mat as Ember looks furious that Liv is giving her one hell of a fight so far. Ember then looks to head to the corner of the ring and teases going to the ECLIPSE… LIV SPRINTS TO THE TOP ROPE AND HITS AN AVALANCHE FRANKENSTINER! Liv follows up with a cover
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Ember kicks out!
The crowd goes wild for the high-risk move from Liv Morgan as she is showing out tonight and doing whatever she can to try to keep Ember Moon down for a 3 count. Liv Morgan struggles back to her feet before heading up top as she steadies herself on the top rope before diving off as she connects with a DIVING MOONSAULT to Ember Moon! Liv stays on for the cover
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EMBER MOON KICKS OUT AND COUNTERS BY LOCKING IN FULL MOON!
Ember is wrenching back on the hold as she looks to try to force Liv Morgan to give up on advancing in the Queen of the Ring tournament! She pulls on the shoulders of Liv Morgan and tries to choke the life out of her, so Liv shuffles her body and gets her foot on the bottom rope to force Ember to release the hold! Ember yanks on it a couple more times before releasing the hold dead on the count of 5! She backs away from Liv Morgan and looks furious that Morgan won’t go down easily tonight!
Liv Morgan tries to get to her feet using the ropes as Ember charges in… LIV TRIES TO GO FOR obLIVion… BUT EMBER HOLDS ONTO THE ROPES BLOCKING IT! Liv falls to the mat next to Ember Moon, who takes her head off with a KNEE STRIKE! Ember makes the cover 1 2 Liv kicks out! Ember looks angry that Liv Morgan is giving her a hard time and looks to drag the smaller wrestler off the mat before slamming her back down to the mat with a STO BACKBREAKER! Ember presses on Liv’s face as she makes the cover 1 2 Morgan kicks out!
Ember looks furious as she gets up and tells Liv to stop wasting everyone’s time as she taunts her on the mat again… LIV GOES FOR A SLAP… BUT EMBER CATCHES IT THIS TIME! Liv looks worried as Ember pulls up Morgan, overpowering her and slams her down with a BELLY TO BACK SIDE SLAM! Ember makes the cover 1 2 Liv kicks out! Ember grabs hold of Liv Morgan after the kick out and hoists Liv Morgan onto her shoulder before going for the DESPICABLE KNEE! Ember follows up with a cover
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LIV MORGAN KICKS OUT!
Ember Moon throws a tantrum on the mat as the crowd loudly gets behind Liv Morgan with Mrs Money in the Bank getting to her feet and getting in the referee’s face, arguing about the count! The referee argues back as Ember carries on, allowing Liv to recover… AND SHE ROLLS UP EMBER MOON!
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EMBER MOON KICKS OUT!
Ember gets back to her feet and looks furious that Liv came close to actually winning this match and swings at her… BUT LIV DUCKS UNDER IT WITH A MATRIX EVASION! Ember Moon turns back around, but Liv runs off the ropes and catches her with the JERSEY CODEBREAKER! Ember falls to the mat and Liv follows up with a cover
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EMBER MOON KICKS OUT AGAIN!
Liv Morgan composes herself for a moment, determined to advance to the semi-finals of Queen of the Ring tonight! She grabs hold of Ember and GRABS HOLD OF HER HEAD/NECK LOCKING IN A GUILLOTINE CHOKE! Liv wrenches on the hold as she uses all of her strength to try to put away Ember Moon. Mrs Money in the Bank is fading… BUT USES ALL OF HER POWER TO COUNTER WITH A POWERBOMB TO THE MAT DROPPING LIV MORGAN!
Ember doesn’t make the cover straight away and instead rolls to the corner of the ring, clutching her neck as she looks to catch her breath before glaring at Liv Morgan. The commentary team gives Morgan credit for pushing Ember further than anyone could have expected during this match, but wonders if she can escape with the victory. Ember shakes her head and can barely believe it before getting back to her feet with evil intentions.
Ember uses the ropes to slowly climb up top as she lines the rising Liv Morgan up… ECLIPSE! Ember Moon connects with her lethal finishing move… BUT LIV MORGAN ROLLS UNDER THE BOTTOM ROPE SO EMBER CAN’T MAKE THE COVER! Ember tries to grab hold of her before she falls to the ring floor, but doesn’t make it and slams the mat in anger. She considers going outside to grab her, but instead looks to the referee and screams at him to start the count, which he does.
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3
4
5
6
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LIV IS STILL DOWN!
8
LIV SLOWLY STIRS
9
LIV SLIDES IN AND JUST ABOUT BEATS THE COUNT!
Ember Moon screams with anger, furious that Liv Morgan just will not stay down tonight and runs over to her as she lies on the mat PUMMELLING HER WITH A SERIES OF STRIKES ON THE MAT! Liv is still by the ropes and the referee has to pull her away, warning Ember that she will disqualify her if she doesn’t stop. Ember sighs and kicks the turnbuckles before having a smirk appear on her face. She grabs the turnbuckle pad and rips it off, throwing it on the mat in anger!
The referee comes over, picking up the turnbuckle pad whilst Ember grabs Liv, ready to throw her into the exposed steel… THE REFEREE CUTS HER OFF AND BLOCKS IT! She tells Ember off before going to fix the turnbuckle… EMBER MOON DROPS LIV AND QUICKLY SLIDES OUT OF THE RING GRABBING THE MONEY IN THE BANK BRIEFCASE! She lines up Liv Morgan and SWINGS IT…
LIV SUPERKICKS IT INTO EMBER’S FACE! Ember Moon falls backward, stumbling towards the ropes and LIV LEAPS TO HER FEET HITTING obLIVion ONTO THE BRIEFCASE! The crowd goes wild as Ember Moon gets her comeuppance. Liv Morgan, thinking quickly, kicks the briefcase out of the ring before making the cover as the referee turns back around!
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Winner via pinfall: Liv Morgan (12:00)
Liv gets to her feet with a huge smile on her face, having pulled off a huge upset tonight, eliminating Ember Moon from the Queen of the Ring! She smiles and winces in pain, slightly having been put through the wringer by Ember Moon tonight; however she has survived and walked out with the victory whilst Mrs Money in the Bank lies down and out on the mat!
Beth Phoenix: Liv Morgan has done it!
Michael Cole: Ember Moon tried to take a shortcut once again and it cost her the match.
Nigel McGuinness: Listen, you can’t be pro-cheating only when someone you like does it Michael. Liv took advantage of an opportunity just like Ember would have and it paid off for her tonight!
Liv Morgan slowly heads up the ramp, celebrating before being joined by her tag team partner RUBY RIOTT as the duo both share a hug at the top of the entrance ramp whilst Ember Moon is still out cold in the middle of the ring.
Michael Cole: It doesn’t seem like Ember is going to be cashing her briefcase in tonight.
Beth Phoenix: One less thing for Women’s Universal Champion Rhea Ripley to worry about later tonight.
Nigel McGuinness: And speaking of Rhea Ripley, we have Cathy Kelley waiting backstage, ready for an interview with her!
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CATHY KELLEY has a big smile on her face, looking directly at the WOMEN’S UNIVERSAL CHAMPION RHEA RIPLEY, who is also smiling. Cathy thanks Rhea for agreeing to this interview, and Rhea says it is her pleasure. Cathy asks Rhea for her thoughts on what just happened between Ember Moon and Liv Morgan, with the champion clutching the title a tiny bit tighter before responding. Rhea says Ember tried to cheat and paid for it.
Rhea adds that when Ember wakes up, if she even thinks about getting involved later tonight, she’ll take care of her permanently! Cathy then changes the subject to her title defence later tonight, saying that if she has a retort to Charlotte, who claims she has never beaten her one-on-one. Rhea smirks and tells Cathy there is a first time for everything and she would love nothing more than to kick Charlotte’s teeth down her throat, making her eat her words, before we cut back to the ring for the last quarter-final match!
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TONI STORM makes her way out, getting a decent pop from the live crowd and she has a big smile on her face. The NXT superstar takes her time to look at the fans in the crowd, soaking in the arena before walking to the ring for the biggest match of her career so far against Shayna Baszler.
Nigel McGuinness: Toni Storm has been someone who has impressed me on NXT and I think tonight you'll see a breakout star!
Michael Cole: Toni proved she can hang with the stars from Raw and SmackDown Live, defeating Marina Shafir and Ruby Riott to get to this point.
Beth Phoenix: Two of Raw’s best, but also noticeably Marina Shafir is one of the 3 MMA Horsewomen, so Shayna might come into this match looking for revenge!
Michael Cole: Knowing Shayna Baszler, she doesn’t need an excuse to hurt someone and try to break their limbs.
Beth Phoenix: As I mentioned earlier, I will find it challenging to remain unbiased due to my history with Shayna Baszler.
Nigel McGuinness: Shayna Baszler already ended your career. Maybe she takes your title of Queen of the Ring, too tonight?
SHAYNA BASZLER walks out with a big grin on her face and the mouthguard on full show, with the towel around her neck as she heads to the ring looking to add the Queen of the Ring to the list of sizeable accolades she has claimed in her short time in WWE already.
Beth Phoenix: I could not think of anything worse than having to crown Shayna Baszler, so I’m rooting for anyone else to win but her.
Nigel McGuinness: You may not like her, but in my opinion, she has a claim to being one of the most dominant NXT Women’s Champions in history!
Michael Cole: She is also a two-time former Women’s Universal and two-time former Women’s tag team champion!
Nigel McGuinness: Toni Storm meanwhile, is a former NXT UK Women’s Champion in her own right, defeating current Women’s Universal Champion Rhea Ripley to win that title.
Michael Cole: And Rhea Ripley was the one who dethroned Shayna Baszler at WrestleMania 37, something Shayna is desperate to avenge!
Beth Phoenix: I cheered all night long seeing Rhea slam Shayna Baszler down to take the title from her!
Shayna Baszler gives a little wave to Beth Phoenix on commentary before sliding into the ring across from Toni Storm. The NXT superstar looks a little nervous, whilst Shayna has a cocky smirk as the referee calls for the bell to get this match underway!
Queen of the Ring quarter-final:
Toni Storm vs Shayna Baszler
The bell rings as Toni takes her time heading towards the former Women’s Universal Champion, as the commentary notes that Shayna is capable of taking advantage of one mistake and leaving you with a broken arm or leg! Shayna goads Toni a little bit, but the NXT superstar keeps her cool, not rising to the bait. Toni looks to go in towards Shayna and grab hold of her, but instead Shayna avoids it and looks to grab the leg of Toni, TRIPPING HER UP!
Shayna looks to go after the leg of Toni… BUT SHE KICKS SHAYNA AWAY AND SCRAMBLES TO THE ROPES! Toni Storm gets back to her feet, looking a little worried, but Shayna just smirks, knowing she nearly caught the young superstar out early on. Shayna stands in the middle of the ring and dares Toni to come at her. The young superstar is willed on by the crowd and looks to grapple with Shayna again… BUT SHAYNA GOES FOR THE LEG…
BUT TONI AVOIDS IT BEFORE GRABBING SHAYNA AND SLAMS HER DOWN WITH A GERMAN SUPLEX! Toni rushes into the cover 1 Shayna powers out! Toni’s eyes take notice of how quick the kick out was and she looks to grab hold of Shayna… WHO COUNTERS AND LOOKS TO LOCK IN THE KIRIFUDA CLUTCH… TONI BACKS HER UP INTO THE CORNER TO FORCE A BREAK! Toni rolls away from Shayna whilst Baszler clutches her back, but has a smile on her face!
Toni Storm looks to charge in and go after Shayna Baszler BUT SHE COUNTERS WITH A KNEE TO THE GUT OUT OF THE CORNER! Toni doubles over due to the shot to the gut and Shayna uses that to grab hold of her SLAMMING TONI DOWN WITH A SPINEBUSTER! Shayna makes the cover 1 Toni kicks out! Shayna smiles, knowing it was likely going to take a lot more to put away the NXT superstar before grabbing hold of her on the mat, grinding her down!
Shayna looks to target the neck and head of Toni Storm, ready for the Kirifuda clutch as the crowd boos her loudly. The commentary team notes that Shayna will be happy to take her time because her style works best, slowly picking someone apart piece by piece! Toni looks to try to escape from the hold, but Shayna SLAMS HER DOWN WITH A RELEASE GERMAN SUPLEX! Toni winces in pain as Shayna charges in and connects with a KNEE STRIKE as she gets to a seated position!
Toni falls to the mat as Shayna makes the cover 1 2 Toni kicks out! Shayna is in total control of the mat early on and she knows it as she stands over Toni Storm, who is struggling on the mat so far. She grabs hold of Toni's arm and bends it on the mat READY TO STOMP ON IT… BUT TONI MOVES IT JUST IN TIME! She rolls away from Shayna, who looks to charge her with another KNEE STRIKE BUT TONI MOVES JUST IN TIME AND ROLLS UP SHAYNA!
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SHAYNA KICKS OUT!
Toni nearly catches Shayna out and the leader of the MMA Horsewomen knows it! Shayna doesn’t lose her head, however and looks to grab hold of Toni… BUT SHE COUNTERS SLAMMING SHAYNA DOWN TO THE MAT! Toni follows up and runs off the ropes before hitting Shayna with a HIP ATTACK! Toni follows up with the cover 1 Shayna kicks out! Toni tries to lift Shayna off the mat to slam her down, but Baszler lays into her with a series of elbows, sending Storm backward!
Storm clutches her jaw as Shayna gets back to her feet and lays into her with the BASZLER RUSH dropping Toni to the mat! Shayna stands above Toni before BOOTING HER WITH A SOCCER KICK! Toni falls to the mat as Shayna makes the cover 1 2 Toni kicks out! Shayna stays on top of Toni as she grabs both her wrists in a WRISTLOCK, twisting the arms of Toni, making the NXT superstar suffer before transitioning it into a SUPLEX SLAMMING HER DOWN!
Shayna doesn’t follow up with a cover; instead, she is considering her next move and how she is going to make Toni suffer next! She grabs hold of Toni from behind and starts to work over the right arm as she BENDS IT BACK! Toni screams in pain, but Shayna is loving every second of the suffering she is causing so far! Toni tries to escape from this arm hold, but as she does… SHAYNA STARTS TO LAY INTO HER WITH A SERIES OF STOMPS! Toni crawls to the ropes and Shayna only stops at the count of 4!
Shayna taunts the crowd and even has a smirk as she looks at the woman she retired at Summerslam last year: Beth Phoenix. Shayna doesn’t waste much time and instead walks back over to Toni, who is using the ropes to recover and LAYS IN A FEW KNEES TO THE GUT! Toni struggles due to the damage being inflicted on her by Shayna before getting her head driven into the mat with a DDT! Shayna makes another cover 1 2 Toni kicks out once again!
Shayna doesn’t get angry, though and smiles as she gets to inflict more pain on Toni Storm! Shayna grabs hold of Toni and GUTWRENCHES HER OFF THE MAT BEFORE HITTING TWO GUTWRENCH ROLLING SUPLEXES! Toni is being slammed around the ring by Shayna Baszler! The former Women’s Universal Champion stands over the NXT superstar, who winces in pain but refuses to go down easy. Shayna stalks her from behind, teasing the KIRIFUDA CLUTCH AGAIN… TONI HITS A BACKWARD HEADBUTT SENDING SHAYNA BACK!
Shayna stumbles back holding her jaw as Toni gets to her feet and hits a SHOTGUN DROPKICK forcing Shayna into the corner of the ring! Toni gets to her feet and she can hear the crowd cheering for her before charging into the corner of the ring and PEPPERS THE CHEST OF SHAYNA BASZLER WITH A SERIES OF MACHINE GUN CHOPS! Shayna is on the back foot for the first time as Toni heads to the opposite corner of the ring… HIP ATTACK TO THE SEATED SHAYNA!
Shayna slumps in the corner of the ring before Toni drags her out of the corner and makes the cover 1 2 Shayna kicks out! Toni Storm heads to the top rope as Shayna Baszler slowly gets to her feet, and Toni Storm dives off, connecting with a CROSSBODY! Toni stays on for the cover 1 2 Shayna kicks out! Toni is in control of the match for the first time and the crowd is loving it! Shayna is struggling on the mat as Toni grabs hold of her and locks her in a SURFBOARD STRETCH!
Toni wrenches back on the hold as she puts pressure on all of the limbs of Shayna Baszler, giving her a taste of her own medicine! If there is one thing Shayna knows how to do, though it is finding an escape to a submission if there is one and she gets an arm free SMASHING THE RIGHT ARM OF TONI WITH AN ELBOW STRIKE TO BREAK THE HOLD! Toni rolls away in pain as Shayna takes a moment to recover, but she looks furious that Toni was able to get an opening in this match!
Shayna runs up to Toni as she is clutching the right arm and HITS A SOCCER KICK TO IT! Toni screams in pain, but Shayna isn’t done there as she grabs hold of the right arm and TRAPS IT UNDER HER FOOT! Toni tries to fight free, but Shayna BATTERS HER WITH KICKS STOPPING HER ATTEMPT AT AN ESCAPE! Shayna has the arm in place… AND STOMPS ON THE BEATEN ARM! Toni screams in pain as the commentary team says Shayna has broken Mandy Rose’s arm recently with that horrible move!
Shayna though has no intention of showing any kind of mercy and grabs hold of Toni Storm’s right arm LOCKING IN AN ARMBAR! She wrenches on the hold as Toni is in a ton of pain on the mat and screams due to the damage being done to her right arm, desperate for any way to escape from this awful hold! Toni looks to claw her body to the ropes to find an escape from the hold… SO SHAYNA BREAKS IT AND DEADLIFTS TONI OFF THE MAT HITTING A GUTWRENCH SUPLEX! Shayna makes the cover 1 2 Toni kicks out!
Shayna smirks as Toni is crawling on the mat and struggling before looking to grab hold of her again… TONI FIRES OFF DESPERATELY WITH HER LEFT ARM! She sends Shayna backward before SMASHING HER WITH A LARIAT USING HER DAMAGED RIGHT ARM! Toni screams in pain after hitting it and cannot make the cover on Shayna as she leans on the ropes, trying to shake off the pain in her right arm. Shayna is on the mat, but Toni knows she needs to press the advantage and CONNECTS WITH A RUNNING HIP ATTACK!
Toni looks to grab hold of Shayna Baszler and lifts her up… BUT STRUGGLES DUE TO THE DAMAGE DONE TO THE RIGHT ARM! This allows Shayna to fight out of Toni’s grasp with a series of SHOTS TO THE GUT FORCING TONI TO DROP HER! Shayna grabs hold of Toni Storm, slamming her down with a VERTICAL SUPLEX! Shayna makes the cover 1 2 Toni kicks out! Shayna, who was enjoying getting to inflict pain on Toni, is now ready to stop playing with her food and lines up Toni Storm ready for…
THE KIRIFUDA CLUTCH! She grabs hold of Toni and locks the lethal hold in tight as she looks to choke the life out of the NXT superstar! Toni struggles and looks to break free, but struggles due to the damage done to the right arm by Shayna during the match! Storm can feel her breath starting to fade as she struggles due to the hold whilst Shayna wrenches extra tight… TONI USES HER FEET TO FLIP OVER INTO A PINNING PREDICAMENT!
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SHAYNA BREAKS THE HOLD AND KICKS OUT!
Toni Storm rolls to the ropes, catching her breath, knowing she had a very lucky escape, whilst Shayna looks furious and full of venom! Shayna heads right back over to Toni, who has her back to Shayna as she tries to gain her breath… CLOBBERS HER WITH A FOREARM SMASH! Toni slumps into the ropes as Shayna grabs hold of her, looking to go for a GUTWRENCH POWERBOMB… TONI COUNTERS WITH A TORNADO DDT USING THE ROPES TO PLANT HER!
Toni crawls on top of Shayna and lies on her for the cover, unable to hook the leg! 1 2 Shayna kicks out! The commentary team wonders what would have happened if Toni had been able to hook the leg, saying she might have been able to pull off a huge upset! Toni looks to get feeling back into her arm before grabbing hold of Shayna, struggling to do it, but manages to lift her onto her back before HITTING STORM ZERO (Air raid crash)! The crowd goes wild as Toni takes a couple of seconds before hooking the leg!
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SHAYNA KICKS OUT!
Toni rolls off Shayna and lies face down on the mat, feeling that it was her chance to end this match and advance to the semi-finals! Toni looks to recompose herself once again, grabbing hold of her arm, trying to get some feeling back into it before she looks to grab hold of Shayna… BUT SHAYNA COUNTERS WITH AN ARM STUNNER! Toni winces in pain as Shayna looks to lay into and grab hold of her for a POWERBOMB… BUT TONI COUNTERS WITH A WICKED HEADBUTT!
Shayna is rocked by the move as Toni looks for one last flurry and connects with a SECOND HEADBUTT DROPPING SHAYNA TO THE MAT! Toni looks to get the crowd behind her as she is fired up and runs the ropes before hitting a WICKED HIP ATTACK KEEPING SHAYNA STUNNED! Toni then grabs hold of Shayna as she tries to crawl away, but slowly lifts her up before PLANTING HER WITH A TIGER DRIVER! Toni makes the cover
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SHAYNA GETS HER FOOT ON THE ROPES!
Toni for a split second, thinks she has won but turns around to see the foot on the ropes and puts her head in her hands. The commentary team notes that Toni is pushing Shayna further than most Raw and SmackDown superstars tonight. Toni looks to compose herself as Shayna uses the ropes to crawl herself to a seated position… TONI RUNS THE ROPES LOOKING FOR A HIP ATTACK WHILST IN THE ROPES… SHAYNA CATCHES HER WITH A SPEAR AS SHE RUNS BACK! Shayna follows up with the cover
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TONI KICKS OUT!
Shayna looks angry but is ready to end this as she grabs the right arm of Toni Storm and locks in a FUJIWARA ARMBAR! Shayna wrenches the hold back as tightly as she can with Toni Storm trapped in the middle of the ring with nowhere to go! Toni tries with everything she has left to power out of the hold… BUT SHAYNA STARTS TO TWIST THE FINGERS TOO AND SITS DOWN PRESSING TONI TO THE MAT! The NXT superstar shakes her head, but she knows she can’t escape… SO TAPS OUT!
Winner via submission: Shayna Baszler (16:44)
Shayna, for once, let’s go off the hold straight away, happy to have escaped with the victory tonight against a very tough challenge in Toni Storm! Toni ends up grabbing hold of her right arm and is in tons of pain on the mat whilst Shayna Baszler celebrates her victory with a smug smirk on her face.
Michael Cole: Shayna Baszler makes it to the semi-finals, but Toni Storm pushed her all the way tonight!
Beth Phoenix: You normally see Shayna Baszler happy to do more damage after the bell, but tonight I think she is happy to take the victory and advance to the semi-finals!
Nigel McGuinness: If you did not know about Toni Storm before tonight, well you do now.
Shayna Baszler heads up the entrance ramp, touching her head, having taken some very hard strikes to it throughout this match. Toni Storm meanwhile, gets to her feet in the ring and is clutching her right arm in a lot of pain as the crowd goes wild, cheering for her loudly. She has a big smile on her face as she thanks the fans for their support.
Michael Cole: The crowd is letting Toni know that they appreciate her performance tonight and her heart during this match.
Nigel McGuinness: There is no shame in tapping out if you have no escape. Better to live to fight another day than get your arm broken and still lose anyway.
Beth Phoenix: Well, we will see Shayna Baszler take on Liv Morgan in the semi-finals later on tonight, but right now, we are about to see the WWE Women’s tag team titles defended with the Boss ‘N’ Hug Connection taking on Iyo Sky and Zoey Stark! Let’s see how we got here!
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We cut to a video package showing the Boss ‘N’ Hug Connection getting more and more desperate as champions to keep the tag team titles around their waist. We see clips of Bayley cheating and using tactics that are normally only used by Sasha. The next clip shows the challenge being made by NXT tag team Iyo Sky and Zoey Stark, before we see Iyo Sky pick up a huge win over Bayley on NXT. Zoey Stark would then be shown losing to Sasha Banks before we see the final war of words, focusing on Bayley’s recent self-doubt!
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ZOEY STARK makes her way out, getting a decent pop from the live crowd. She has a smile on her face as she waves to the crowd and waits at the top of the entrance ramp for her tag team partner…
IYO SKY! She walks out getting one of the loudest reactions of the night from a very smarky crowd in the UK. She looks to her rookie tag team partner Zoey and nods at her before leading her to the ring, ready for action.
Nigel McGuinness: Iyo Sky and Zoey Stark are one of the best tag teams in the WWE, in my opinion, not just on NXT!
Michael Cole: Iyo Sky has already proved how good she is by shocking Bayley when she pinned her on NXT 3 weeks ago!
Beth Phoenix: And you have seen Bayley unravelling after that loss!
Nigel McGuinness: Confidence is a fickle thing, Beth. When you lose it, it can be very hard to get it back!
Michael Cole: Zoey Stark has talked on NXT about people viewing her as a potential weak link, so you have to wonder if she has any of her own confidence issues.
Beth Phoenix: You know that the champions will not be above targeting Zoey Stark if it means keeping the Women’s tag team titles around their waist!
THE BOSS ‘N’ HUG CONNECTION makes their way out and they get a very loud reaction from the live crowd but it is a very mixed one, even from this smarky crowd. SASHA BANKS is full of confidence as she leads the way to the ring whilst BAYLEY follows behind her looking a lot less sure, but she does lift her half of the WWE Women’s tag team titles into the air like Sasha!
Michael Cole: Say what you want about their recent methods, the Boss ‘N’ Hug Connection holds the record for the longest Women’s tag team title reign since the belts were created.
Nigel McGuinness: And they have held the belts each 4 times, both managing to win it once with other partners as well!
Beth Phoenix: These two are tag team specialists and it will give them a huge advantage in this match.
Nigel McGuinness: Bayley and Banks are going to want to make this a match that favours them, you don’t want to give Iyo a chance to show why she is the genius of the sky!
Beth Phoenix: Easier said than done, Zoey has proven she can hold her own and Iyo has the experience to be prepared for that kind of plan from the tag team champions!
Michael Cole: Bayley will also have that loss to Iyo sticking in her mind as well!
The tag team champions make it to the ring and pass their tag team titles to the referee as the usual announcements take place. Once they are done, Iyo tells Zoey she will start for her team, getting a nod from the rookie. Bayley tells Sasha she wants to start prompting a nod from her best friend and the referee calls for the bell to get this match underway!
WWE Women’s tag team titles match:
Boss ‘N’ Hug Connection © vs Iyo Sky and Zoey Stark
Iyo and Bayley both have a serious look on their faces as the bell rings, but it is clear that Iyo feels more confident out of the two. Both women meet in the middle of the ring and lock up with each other as they battle for control early on in this match. Bayley looks like she is going to win the exchange with Iyo… BUT IYO COUNTERS WITH AN ARM DRAG SLAMMING BAYLEY DOWN SENDING HER BACK TOWARDS THE CHAMP’S CORNER!
Bayley scrambles to her feet as Iyo gives a rare smile as she dares Bayley to come back at her… BUT INSTEAD SHE TAGS OUT BRINGING SASHA INTO THE MATCH! Sasha looks a tiny bit annoyed, but steps into the ring ready to take on Iyo Sky instead of Bayley. Iyo beckons Sasha forward to lock up, but Sasha instead looks to go after her with a FOREARM SMASH… IYO DODGES AND CONNECTS WITH A DROPKICK! Sasha falls to the match as Iyo makes the cover! 1 Banks kicks out!
A lot more needs to be done to Sasha for the tag team from NXT to win, but Iyo grabs hold of Sasha, sending her into her team’s corner of the ring… BEFORE TAGGING ZOEY STARK IN! Zoey responds by SPRINGBOARDING OFF THE ROPES AND SMASHING BANKS WITH A METEORA IN THE CORNER! Bayley tries to charge in to help Banks, but is cut off when Iyo hits her with a ROUNDHOUSE KICK TO THE HEAD CUTTING HER OFF!
Zoey grabs hold of Sasha and spins her around, slamming her down to the mat with a GERMAN SUPLEX! Zoey follows up with a cover 1 2 Banks kicks out! Zoey gets to her feet with a smile on her face as she looks to run off the ropes… BUT FIRST SENDS BAYLEY TO THE RING FLOOR WITH A STEP-UP KICK! She then turns around, jumping off the ropes and hits a SPRINGBOARD MISSILE DROPKICK! Zoey makes another cover 1 2 Sasha kicks out!
Zoey has a smile on her face as Iyo gets her attention and the rookie nods, heading back over to the corner, tagging Iyo back into the match! Sasha tries to get back to her feet… BUT ZOEY SENDS HER BACK DOWN WITH A CLOTHESLINE… FOLLOWED BY IYO HITTING A DIVING METEORA! Zoey does a home run taunt before Iyo says in Japanese for Zoey to take care of Bayley and she hits a SUCICDE DIVE whilst Iyo makes the cover! 1 2 Banks kicks out!
The challengers are giving the champions a very hard time during this match, to the delight of the fans. Iyo looks to keep the pressure up on Sasha and tries to IRISH WHIP HER INTO THE CORNER OF THE RING… BUT SASHA COUNTERS WITH A JUMPING FACEBUSTER PLANTING HER! Sasha looks over to the corner as Bayley looks to get back into the match and she tags back in, whilst Zoey Stark tags back into the match herself!
Bayley charges at Zoey, trying to look for a RUNNING DOUBLE AXE HANDLE… BUT ZOEY LEAPFROGS OVER BAYLEY! Bayley turns around into a PELE KICK from Zoey Stark! Zoey makes the cover 1 2 Bayley kicks out! Zoey plays to the crowd with a smile on her face as she grabs hold of Bayley, ready to go for a DRAGON SUPLEX… BAYLEY ELBOWS ZOEY STAGGERING HER! Zoey looks to stumble back to her corner to tag in Iyo… BUT BAYLEY SPRINTS PAST TO KNOCK IYO TO THE RING FLOOR!
Bayley turns around, smirking at Zoey Stark before looking to take her down… BUT ZOEY DODGES IT ANGERING THE HUGGER! Bayley turns back around into a REVERSE SUPERKICK! Zoey makes the cover 1 SASHA BREAKS IT UP! The crowd boos loudly as Sasha grabs hold of Zoey by her hair and SENDS HER FLYING INTO THE RINGPOST IN THE CORNER OF THE RING! Iyo Sky looks to come into the ring and goes after Sasha Banks… WHO AVOIDS IT AND BAYLEY CONNECTS WITH A BACKSTABBER CUTTING HER OFF!
Bayley grabs Iyo and tosses her out of the ring to boos from the crowd before SENDING SASHA INTO THE CORNER FOR AN ASSISTED HIP ATTACK TO ZOEY STARK IN THE CORNER! Sasha would climb onto the ring apron and grab the tag rope as Bayley made the tag to bring her back into the match! The Boss ‘N’ Hug Connection at this point starts to take over the match and lay into Zoey with a series of STOMPS IN THE CORNER! Bayley and Banks make a lot of rapid tags as they keep the rookie trapped in their corner!
Sasha remains the legal woman as she taunts the rookie Zoey Stark, who looks to fight back with a SLAP TO THE FACE OF SASHA… WHO RESPONDS WITH ONE OF HER OWN! Sasha then runs the ropes, connecting with a DROPKICK, keeping Zoey in the corner! Sasha makes the tag to Bayley, bringing her back into the match before they work together to hit a WHISPER IN THE WIND TO ZOEY! Bayley follows up by running the ropes and hits the SLIP ‘N’ SLIDE ELBOW! Bayley follows up with the cover 1 2 Zoey kicks out!
Bayley, for the first time since the bell rang, smiles and grabs hold of Zoey Stark, bringing her back towards the champion's corner of the ring. Bayley looks over and makes another tag, bringing Sasha back into the ring. Both women grab hold of Zoey and hit her with a STRAIGHT JACKET SNAPMARE BEFORE BOTH HITTING A DUAL ELBOW! Banks makes the cover 1 2 Zoey kicks out! Zoey is struggling and looks towards the corner as she knows she needs to tag out…
SASHA BANKS STOPS HER GOING FORWARD CONNECTING WITH A BULLDOG SLAMMING HER INTO THE MAT! Sasha gets back to her feet and taunts Iyo before catching Zoey Stark with a RUNNING METEORA! Sasha makes another cover 1 2 Zoey kicks out! Zoey is struggling to stay alive in this match and you can see Iyo Sky looking concerned for her tag team partner! Sasha Banks gets to her feet and tags Bayley back into the match!
Bayley picks Zoey off the mat and talks some trash to her… ZOEY FIGHTS BAYLEY OFF AND KNOCKS HER TO THE MAT WITH A SUPERKICK! Zoey turns around, ready to make the tag and IYO REACHES OUT… SASHA BANKS PULLS HER FROM THE RING APRON AND SENDS HER INTO THE STEEL STEPS! The crowd boos extremely loudly, but Sasha doesn’t care and laughs to herself… ZOEY STARK DIVES THROUGH THE ROPES WIPING OUT BANKS!
Zoey gets back to her feet with a smile on her face and climbs onto the ring apron as we see Bayley struggling on the mat… ZOEY HITS A SPRINGBOARD CORKSCREW SENTON! The crowd goes wild for the insane offensive move as Zoey goes back into the cover! 1 2 Bayley kicks out! Zoey is feeling fired up as the fans keep loudly cheering for the rookie before she grabs hold of Bayley, ready to go for Z-360… BAYLEY COUNTERS LOCKING IN A GULLITONE CHOKE ON ZOEY!
Bayley wrenches back on the hold as tightly as she can, trying to make Zoey tap out… BUT ZOEY COUNTERS SLAMMING BAYLEY INTO THE TURNBUCKLES WITH A BUCKLE BOMB TO FORCE A BREAK! Zoey stumbles backward, struggling due to the damage done via the choke, but looks to the corner as IYO SLOWLY GETS BACK ON THE RING APRON! She crawls to the ropes and is inches away from making it… SASHA BANKS CUTS HER OFF AND LOCKS IN THE BANK STATEMENT!
Sasha blind tagged in on the back of Bayley and kept the pressure on the rookie! Sasha is wrenching back to the hold as she looks to try to force Zoey to tap out… IYO RUNS IN TO TRY TO BREAK IT UP BUT BAYLEY CUTS HER OFF WITH A RUNNING DOUBLE AXE HANDLE! Iyo falls to the mat and Bayley looks to keep her out of the ring… LEAVING ZOEY TRAPPED IN THE LETHAL HOLD! The crowd cheers the rookie on, hoping she can escape from this lethal submission!
Zoey grits her teeth and fights through the pain, looking directly at the ropes as she crawls bit by bit closer to find an escape from this hold! Sasha tries to get her back towards the middle of the ring… BUT ZOEY GETS TO THE BOTTOM ROPE FORCING A BREAK! Sasha holds on till the count of 3 before breaking the hold as she backs away. Zoey struggles by the ropes… BANKS CHARGES IN AND CONNECTS WITH A RUNNING METEORA WHILST IN THE ROPES!
The crowd boos for the cheap shot, but Iyo Sky who has won the fight with Bayley, connects with a HANGING SOCCER KICK AS BANKS GETS BACK TO HER FEET! Sasha falls to the middle of the ring as Iyo shouts for Zoey, who struggles to her feet before stumbling to the corner of the ring… BUT MAKES THE HOT TAG TO BRING IYO SKY BACK INTO THE RING! The crowd goes wild as Iyo hops over the ropes and charges straight at Sasha Banks, connecting with a LIFTING KNEE STRIKE!
Sasha Banks is staggered on her feet, but Iyo knocks her down with a PALM STRIKE! Iyo then runs the ropes, seeing that Bayley looks to climb onto the ring apron, connecting with a DROPKICK to keep her from getting involved! Iyo then looks to SPRINGBOARD OFF THE ROPES CONNECTING WITH A MOONSAULT! Iyo stays on for the cover 1 2 Banks kicks out! Iyo Sky gets back to her feet as she grabs Sasha… WHO COUNTERS INTO A ROLL-UP!
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IYO ROLLS THROUGH!
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IYO BREAKS IT TO HIT A DOUBLE FOOT STOMP TO THE CHEST OF SASHA!
Iyo gets to her feet and points to the corner of the ring as the fans pop, excited to see her hit her signature OVER-THE-MOONSAULT! She gets to the top rope and lines Sasha Banks up… BAYLEY REAPPEARS ON THE RING APRON AND GRABS IYO’S LEFT LEG! The crowd loudly boos, but it is legal as Bayley looks to keep the match alive for her tag team partner! Iyo kicks Bayley away and turns back to Sasha… WHO GRABS HOLD OF HER AND HITS AN AVALANCHE BODY SLAM! Loud boos from the crowd as Sasha hooks the leg
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IYO KICKS OUT!
The crowd goes wild, hoping to see the NXT tag team dethrone the champions and take the tag team titles from them, ending their lengthy reign tonight! Sasha Banks looks furious that Iyo survived, but Bayley slowly climbs onto the ring apron and reaches out for the tag… SO SASHA BRINGS HER BEST FRIEND BACK INTO THE MATCH! Banks grabs hold of Iyo Sky as she gets her in position before connecting with a DOUBLE KNEE BACKBREAKER INTO BAYLEY WHO HITS THE BAYLEY TO BELLY! Bayley makes the cover as Sasha stands guard!
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ZOEY STARKS CHARGES INTO BANKS AND SENDS HER INTO BAYLEY TO BREAK THE COVER!
The crowd cheers as Zoey keeps the match alive for her team! She grabs hold of Banks and sends her out of the ring! Zoey’s back is turned, though and this allows Bayley to take advantage, hitting a GERMAN SUPLEX! Zoey falls to the mat and rolls out of the ring with Bayley talking trash to the rookie before grabbing hold of Iyo Sky, ready to end this… IYO COUNTERS SENDING BAYLEY INTO THE ROPES WITH A HURRICARANA!
Bayley ends up resting on the middle rope as Iyo looks to the crowd, who start to chant 619! Iyo runs the ropes and connects with the TIGER FIENT KICK sending Bayley falling back to the middle of the ring with a thud! Iyo Sky looks to the crowd, who all loudly cheer as Iyo heads to the top rope again and this time lines up Bayley before HITTING OVER-THE-MOONSAULT! Iyo stays on Bayley for the cover
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SAHSA GRABS BAYLEY’S FOOT AND PUTS IT ON THE ROPES!
The crowd rains down heat on Banks for it, but Nigel on commentary defends it, saying the champions are doing whatever they need to retain their tag team titles tonight! Iyo can’t believe it, but Sasha doesn’t get a chance to do much more as ZOEY GRABS HER FROM BEHIND AND SLAMS HER DOWN WITH A DRAGON SUPLEX! The crowd cheers before Zoey leaps onto the ring apron and sticks her hand out as Iyo makes the tag, bringing her rookie partner back into this match!
Zoey and Iyo walk over to Bayley, who is still out of it, before bringing her back towards the middle of the ring! Zoey gets her onto her shoulders and HITS BAYLEY WITH Z-360 (Belly-to-Back GTS)! Bayley falls to the mat… and ZOEY MAKES THE COVER… SASHA PULLS THE REFEREE OUT OF THE RING! The boos grow even louder as the referee argues with Sasha and reprimands her for her actions… IYO SKY ROLLS OUT OF THE RING AND STARTS TO BRAWL WITH SASHA!
The referee is distracted as he tries to get them back under control, but they end up fighting by the timekeeper’s area! Back in the ring, Zoey tries to call the referee to get him back in the ring… NOT SEEING THAT BAYLEY HAS CRAWLED TO THE RING APRON AND GRABBED A SPANNER FROM UNDER THE RING! Zoey makes her way back over to Bayley…
BAYLEY CLOCKS HER WITH THE SPANNER! Huge boos from the crowd as Zoey is rocked… AND BAYLEY FOLLOWS UP WITH THE ROSEPLANT! Bayley tosses the weapon out of the ring and screams at the referee, who turns back around and sees Bayley covering Zoey Stark in the ring, so he makes the count!
1
IYO SEES ZOEY DOWN IN THE RING…
2
BUT SASHA STOPS HER FROM GETTING TO THE RING!
3
Winners via pinfall and still WWE Women’s tag team champions: Boss ‘N’ Hug Connection (15:38)
The boos reign down as The Boss ‘N’ Hug Connection once again find a way to keep the tag team titles around their waist. Iyo Sky goes down to her knees and punches the ring floor in anger, whilst Sasha Banks heads into the ring to celebrate the victory with her best friend, not giving a damn about the boos from the crowd.
Michael Cole: The Boss ‘N’ Hug Connection retained their tag team titles, but they did it controversially!
Nigel McGuinness: It doesn’t matter how it is done. What matters is keeping the gold around your waist and the champions did that tonight!
Beth Phoenix: It’s a shame to see two women who were seen as role models fall so far.
The Boss ‘N’ Hug Connection take their tag team titles up the ramp and start to mock the fans as they carry on their celebrations. Back in the ring, Zoey Stark is sitting upright on the mat and clutches her head whilst Iyo Sky checks on her.
Nigel McGuinness: Iyo Sky and Zoey Stark don’t have anything to be ashamed of. On another night, we might be looking at new tag team champions.
Michael Cole: Both women have a bright future in the WWE, and they will be looking to get themselves a rematch down the road.
Beth Phoenix: But now it is time for the first of our Queen of the Ring semi-finals, an all-SmackDown affair between Naomi and Bianca Belair. Let’s see both women run to get here!
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Naomi’s run to the semi-finals:
Round of 32: Defeated Xia Brookside
Round of 16: Defeated Carmella
Quarter finals: Defeated Lyra Valkyria
Bianca Belair’s run to the semi-finals:
Round of 32: Defeated Stevie Turner
Round of 16: Defeated Alexa Bliss
Quarter finals: Defeated Natalya
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NAOMI makes her way out first, getting boos from the live crowd, but she once again doesn’t let it affect her on the way to the ring. She has a laser focus, knowing the job she needs to do or face consequences from Roman Reigns tomorrow night.
Beth Phoenix: Roman Reigns has made his expectations clear going into tonight’s Queen of the Ring: Walk out as Queen or else.
Nigel McGuinness: Naomi got the first part done tonight. Now she has to go through the favourite to win the entire tournament.
Michael Cole: And that is easier said than done. Normally, coming into a match as a favourite, there isn’t any pressure. I’d argue Naomi has more pressure on her than Bianca Belair.
Nigel McGuinness: I agree, but the Tribal Chief knows what he is doing.
Beth Phoenix: Maybe, but how would Naomi’s husband Jimmy react to any such consequences to Naomi?
Michael Cole: And Jey as well. Would he choose his twin or his chief?
BIANCA BELAIR walks out, getting huge cheers from the live crowd and she has a cocky smile on her face as she heads to the ring. She whips her hair on the way to the ring but doesn’t skip down the entrance ramp, noticeably clutching her back on the way to the ring.
Beth Phoenix: She still looks as confident as ever, but Belair is still feeling the effects of her clash with Natalya in the quarter finals.
Nigel McGuinness: This is why your path matters in a tournament. You get a tough draw and it can leave you with a knock or a weak spot going into the latter rounds.
Michael Cole: Natalya is one of the top submission specialists in the WWE and she has left Belair with a lot of damage done to her back coming into the semi-final!
Beth Phoenix: But Belair is not someone who is going to give up easily; she wants gold and is determined to get her guaranteed shot at Summerslam!
Nigel McGuinness: Naomi is vicious and desperate enough to target that back of Belair viciously if it gets her to the final!
Michael Cole: Naomi will likely target the back, but can Belair use that to her advantage to catch Naomi off guard?
Bianca Belair steps into the ring with the smile going away and being replaced by a serious look on her face. Both women stare each other down before the referee calls for the bell to get this semi-final underway!
Queen of the Ring semi-final:
Naomi vs Bianca Belair
Naomi charges in right for the start and goes after Belair, looking to send her into the corner of the ring… BELAIR COUNTERS AND SLAMS NAOMI DOWN TO THE MAT! Belair waits for Naomi to get back to her feet before putting her back down with a BIG BOOT! Belair makes the cover 1 2 Naomi kicks out! Belair grabs hold of Naomi and looks to lift her up, not wanting to waste any time… NAOMI COUNTERS WITH A SITOUT JAWBREAKER!
Naomi flips over Belair and makes the cover 1 2 Belair kicks out! Naomi stays focused and goes after the back of Belair, laying into her with a SERIES OF KICKS TO HER BACK! Naomi finishes off by running the ropes and connects with a BASEMENT DROPKICK TO THE SMALL OF BELAIR’S BACK! Naomi makes another cover, making sure to press on Belair! 1 2 Bianca kicks out! Naomi gets back to her feet, still looking angry and wanting to try to finish off Belair whilst she can!
Naomi looks to grab hold of Belair, struggling to lift her up a bit, but manages to connect with a SNAP SUPLEX! Naomi makes another quick cover 1 2 Belair kicks out! The commentary team notes that they are laser-focusing on the back of the E.S.T. in an effort to make sure she can advance to the final, but wonders if she is too focused on it instead of her normal style. Naomi grabs hold of Belair by the head before PRESSING HER KNEE INTO THE BACK OF BELAIR!
Belair is in a ton of pain on the mat as Naomi makes sure to press it in as hard as possible whilst talking some trash to Belair… BELAIR USES THAT TO GRAB HER HEAD AND SLAM HER DOWN WITH A SNAPMARE! Belair grabs hold of Naomi in front of her and puts her OVER HER SHOULDERS BEFORE HITTING A MILITARY PRESS SNAKE EYES! Naomi stumbles out of the corner as BIANCA BELAIR FOLLOWS UP WITH A BIG BOOT KEEPING HER IN THE CORNER!
Naomi looks dazed in the corner of the ring with Belair looking to keep the pressure up and lays into her with a SERIES OF CLOTHESLINES! The referee tells Belair to back away, which she does… BUT THEN STARTS LAYING INTO HER WITH A SERIES OF SHOULDER THRUSTS! Belair then grabs hold of Naomi, bringing her out of the corner before slamming her down to the mat with a DELAYED VERTICAL SUPLEX! Belair isn’t able to hold it as long as normal, but still slams down Naomi with force! Belair makes the cover 1 2 Naomi kicks out!
Belair is getting loud cheers from the crowd who want to see the favourite prove everyone right and become Queen of the Ring tonight! Belair gets back to her feet and is feeling her back before looking to grab hold of Naomi… BUT SHE FIGHTS BACK SENDING BELAIR BACKWARDS BEFORE CONNECTING WITH A LEG LARIAT DROPPING BIANCA! Naomi makes the cover 1 2 Belair kicks out! The pain of each kick out is starting to tell on Belair’s face, but Naomi stays focused on getting the job done!
Naomi heads to the corner of the ring and looks to line up Belair DIVING OFF FOR A CROSSBODY… BUT BELAIR CATCHES HER AND CONNECTS WITH A FALLAWAY SLAM! The crowd cheers for the counter as Belair makes the cover 1 2 Naomi kicks out once again! Belair clutched her back once again, but signalled to the crowd she is ready to bring this to an end as she gets Naomi up off the mat and gets her in position for the K.O.D… NAOMI COUNTERS WITH A FINAL CUT DDT! Naomi makes the cover 1 2 Belair kicks out!
Naomi looks annoyed and knows that she is going to need to find a way to put Belair away sooner or later if she wants to advance to the final! Belair is down on the mat as Naomi grabs hold of her and locks in an OVER THE SHOULDER SINGLE LEG BOSTON CRAB! Naomi wrenches back on the hold as she looks to cause as much pain as possible to the back of Belair, who is feeling every bit of the damage she has taken so far in this tournament as she tries to find an escape on the mat!
Belair tries to power out of the hold, but the damage to her back means she can’t use her normal level of power to escape from this lethal hold! Belair grits her teeth in so much pain due to the hold, but fights with everything she has to start to crawl towards the bottom rope to escape! Belair slowly looks to make it to the ropes as she uses everything she has to make it there! Naomi tries to pull the hold back and force Bianca to tap out… BUT BELAIR GETS HER HAND ON THE ROPES TO BREAK THE HOLD!
Naomi holds on till the count of 5 before breaking the hold! The referee tells her off, but you can see how desperate Naomi is to pull off the victory tonight. She sees Belair leaning on the ropes in pain as Naomi runs the ropes and HITS A RUNNING HIP ATTACK WHILE SHE IS CLINGING TO THE ROPES! Bianca stumbles away from the ropes, still struggling as Naomi gets her legs around the head of Belair and PLANTS HER TO THE MAT WITH FEEL THE GLOW (Modified head-scissors driver)! Naomi follows up with the cover
1
2
BELAIR KICKS OUT!
Naomi looks furious and responds by making another cover straight away! 1 2 Belair kicks out again! The crowd gets behind the E.S.T. as Naomi punches the mat in anger and screams that she cannot find a way to put her opponent away! Naomi looks to calm herself down and recompose herself before heading to the corner of the ring, CLIMBING UP TOP! Naomi lines up Belair, ready to go for the SPLIT-LEGGED MOONSAULT…
BELAIR IS UP AND CONNECTS WITH A SHOT TO HER BACK! Bianca lays into Naomi with a series of strikes as she tries to fight back, but she can’t do it! Belair grabs hold of Naomi and lifts her up into the air CONNECTING WITH A SUPERPLEX! A loud pop from the crowd as both women lay on the mat in pain for a good few seconds, with the move causing more damage to Belair’s back, too! Belair slowly struggles to his feet as she tries to get herself up ready for the K.O.D…
NAOMI COUNTERS AND LOCKS IN THE SLAY-A-MISSION! Naomi brings Belair down to the mat as she fights with everything she has to try to force a tap out from her challenger! Belair is in a ton of pain as the commentary team mentions her back issues are going to cause her to struggle to power out of this move… BUT SHE IS GOING TO TRY ANYWAY! Naomi is choking and squeezing the hold as much as possible…
BUT BELAIR GETS TO HER FEET AND POWERBOMBS HER TO THE MAT TO BREAK THE HOLD! Belair slowly crawls over to the ropes and winces in pain, unable to make the cover, but she gets to her feet, ready to fight through the pain. Naomi struggles up to her feet… BIANCA BELAIR RESPONDS WITH A SPEAR! Shades of the Tribal Chief, but Belair doesn’t make the cover as she drags Naomi onto her shoulders and FINALLY GETS OFF THE K.O.D.! Belair makes the cover
1
2
3
Winner via pinfall: Bianca Belair (11:18)
The crowd goes wild as Bianca gets back to her feet and winces in pain, still clutching her back due to the damage added to it during this match. She leans on the ropes but looks fired up, one match away from potentially becoming Queen of the Ring!
Beth Phoenix: The favourite advances to the final and is now one match away from becoming Queen of the Ring!
Michael Cole: Naomi tried to target the back of Belair and even make her pass out, but the E.S.T. refused to be denied tonight.
Nigel McGuinness: But what does that mean for Naomi’s future in the Bloodline?
We cut back to the ring as Naomi has recovered from the K.O.D. and winces in pain before cutting a very upset figure, knowing she is in big trouble. The Tribal Chief will not be happy with another loss for Naomi.
Beth Phoenix: We saw how desperate Naomi was to walk out of this match and get the final of Queen of the Ring. The pressure might have gotten to her.
Nigel McGuinness: I wouldn’t try to blame the Tribal Chief for this if I were her. I don’t see that ending well!
Michael Cole: Well, we will see the fallout from that, depending on where The Bloodline ends up, but right now it is time for our 2nd semi-final. Let’s see how Liv Morgan and Shayna Baszler got to this stage!
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Liv Morgan’s path to the semi-finals:
Round of 32: Defeated Tamina
Round of 16: Defeated Franky Monet
Quarter finals: Defeated Ember Moon
Shayna Baszler’s path to the semi-finals:
Round of 32: Defeated Mandy Rose
Round of 16: Defeated Tegan Nox
Quarter finals: Defeated Toni Storm
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LIV MORGAN makes her way out, getting loud cheers from the live crowd. We can see some tape around Liv's left arm, but she has a smile on her face, determined to walk out of tonight as the Queen of the Ring!
Michael Cole: Liv comes into this match as a huge underdog facing a former two-time Women’s Universal, NXT and tag team Champion in Shayna Baszler.
Beth Phoenix: I said it earlier and I said it again; I’m going to struggle to be impartial watching Shayna. I hope Liv Morgan pulls off the upset.
Nigel McGuinness: I think a lot of the fans would feel the same, but that’s not going to be enough for Liv Morgan to beat Shayna Baszler.
Michael Cole: Liv has the support of her friend Ruby Riott tonight, but she will have to look to take advantage of the damage done earlier tonight by Toni Storm.
Nigel McGuinness: Liv will need to take advantage of anything she can and be careful. Shayna will look for a weak spot, any opportunity to target a limb.
Beth Phoenix: That’s why I think the tape on the left shoulder is a mistake, she has a literal bullseye on it for Shayna to target!
SHAYNA BASZLER walks out onto the entrance ramp, taking her time to pose before walking to the ring, still in pain after the tough encounter with Toni Storm in her quarter-final earlier tonight.
Michael Cole: Shayna has been at the top of the Women’s division for the last two years with her boot on the neck of anyone who has tried to take her down!
Nigel McGuinness: One of the most lethal competitors in the WWE and someone who takes great pleasure in inflicting pain on anyone across the ring from her.
Beth Phoenix: She is vindictive and I hope she gets her ass kicked!
Nigel McGuinness: You can hope for it, but Liv Morgan faces a tough challenge tonight.
Michael Cole: Liv Morgan is yet to hold gold in the WWE; this is the biggest match of her entire career.
Beth Phoenix: Liv spent most of last year on the shelf. Now it is time for us to watch her make it to the top!
Shayna this time, doesn’t bother interacting with Beth, locking eyes with Liv Morgan. She says that before the bell rings, it’s not too early for Liv to give up and says she can put her on the injury list again. Liv ignores it as the referee calls for the bell to get this match underway!
Queen of the Ring semi-final:
Shayna Baszler vs Liv Morgan
Liv sprints out of the gate and connects with a DROPKICK sending Shayna to the mat. Liv doesn’t stop there as she charges at Shayna, hitting a BASEMENT DROPKICK to keep her down! Liv makes a quick cover 1 2 Shayna kicks out! Liv gets back to her feet and looks to keep the pressure up as she peppers Shayna with a series of HARD KICKS! She is laying into the former Women’s Universal Champion… WHO GRABS ONE OF THE FEET… BUT LIV COUNTERS WITH A STEP-UP ENZUGIRI!
Shayna stumbles backward, staggered by the kick to the skull before landing near the ring ropes… LIV CLOTHESLINES HER TO THE RING FLOOR! Shayna lands on the outside as she struggles to regain her balance… LIV MORGAN DIVES OUT CONNECTING WITH A SUCICIDE DIVE! Liv Morgan is throwing everything at Shayna, looking to catch her off-guard in these early stages! Morgan grabs hold of Shayna, who picks up her opponent and sends her into the RINGPOST BEFORE ROLLING HER TO THE RING!
Liv Morgan climbs to the top rope before diving off the top rope, hitting Shayna Baszler with a DIVING SENTON! Liv makes the cover 1 2 Shayna kicks out! Liv Morgan doesn’t look disappointed with the kick out, feeling she is piling the pressure onto the former Women’s Universal Champion as she looks to grab hold of Shayna… BUT SHAYNA COUNTERS SLAMMING LIV MORGAN DOWN WITH A BELLY TO BACK SUPLEX! Shayna doesn’t make a cover, though rolling away to get her breath back after an explosive start from Morgan.
Shayna looks angry, almost like she is annoyed at Liv giving her a tough time and wants to make her suffer for it now. She grabs hold of her off the mat before SENDING HER INTO THE RINGPOST WITH AN IRISH WHIP! Liv screams in pain as the impact clearly hurts her already damaged shoulder from earlier tonight and Shayna now starts to smile as she has made it clear what her target tonight is going to be! Liv slumps in the corner as SHAYNA CONNECTS WITH A HIGH KNEE IN THE CORNER!
Liv’s head bounces back due to the impact and Shayna Baszler is happy to press the advantage in the corner, laying into her with a SERIES OF HARD STOMPS TO THE HEAD AND CHEST OF LIV MORGAN! She batters her opponent in the corner of the ring with the referee telling her off for this, but Shayna doesn’t care, finishing off with another KNEE IN THE CORNER OF THE RING! Shayna grabs hold of Liv and brings her out of the corner before SLAMMING HER DOWN WITH A BACK SUPLEX! Shayna makes the cover 1 2 Morgan kicks out!
Shayna looks to keep the pressure going as he grabs hold of Liv Morgan’s LEFT ARM AND STARTS TO WRENCH ON IT WITH AN ARMBAR! She tears at the socket of Morgan, who screams in pain, trapped right in the middle of the ring! The commentary team notes that Shayna has no qualms about breaking the limbs of anyone who steps into the ring with her! Liv is flailing around as she tries to find a way to escape the hold and just about gets her foot on the bottom rope!
Shayna makes sure to hold onto the left arm till the count of 5 before finally letting go of Liv’s left arm! Liv is in a ton of pain and Shayna responds by CONNECTING WITH A SERIES OF SHOOT KICKS TO THE LEFT ARM WHILST SHE CLINGS TO THE ROPES! The referee has to get in between Shayna and Liv, with the referee warning Shayna that if she carries on bending the count, she will disqualify her! Shayna argues back, but as she is arguing, LIV USES THAT TO CONNECT WITH THE LIV KICK DROPPING SHAYNA! Liv falls onto the cover
1
2
SHAYNA KICKS OUT!
Liv Morgan looks disappointed as she can feel the damage in her left arm starting to tell already, even though we are just 5 minutes into the match. We can see Shayna trying to get back to her knee, so Liv runs off the ropes and CONNECTS WITH A TWO-HANDED RUNNING BULLDOG! Liv makes the cover 1 2 Shayna kicks out! Liv sees Shayna on the mat on her stomach, so she looks to do a submission of her own and LOCKS IN THE RINGS OF SATURN!
Liv wrenches back on the hold and looks to force Baszler to tap out! The commentary team, however, wonders if this is a good idea with how much of a submission specialist Shayna Baszler is and therefore will know a way to escape from this hold! Liv is wrenching back but can’t get the full lock and then transitions into ANOTHER ARMBAR! Shayna wrenches back on it as she looks to get it into the FUJIWARA ARMAR! The commentary team notes we saw Deonna show how lethal this hold was early tonight, whilst Liv screams in pain!
Liv though, doesn’t want to tap out and wants to make it to the final of Queen of the Ring, having never tasted any gold in the WWE! Liv is desperate and can’t see the ropes in reach… SO BITES SHAYNA TO ESCAPE FROM THE HOLD! The crowd cheers for the desperate break to the hold whilst the referee tells Liv off for resorting to such measures! Liv Morgan gets to her feet, seeing Shayna rising back to her feet and runs through her with a SERIES OF CLOTHESLINES WITH HER RIGHT ARM!
After hitting 6 of them, Liv Morgan waits for Shayna Baszler to stumble back up after the 6th one and PLANTS HER WITH A FACEBUSTER! Liv rolls Shayna over and makes the cover 1 2 Shayna kicks out! Liv looks to the crowd, who are cheering her on, before heading to the corner of the ring as he lines up Shayna Baszler before DIVING OFF THE TOP ROPE GOING FOR A DIVING MOONSAULT… SHAYNA GETS HER KNEES UP AND USES THIS TO LOCK IN THE KIRIFUDA CLUTCH!
Shayana Baszler wrenches back on the hold as she looks to choke the life out of Liv Morgan! Liv Morgan is fighting for her life as Shayna looks to get the lethal hold locked in as tightly as possible! Shayna looks to make sure that she has her body wrapped around Liv tightly… BUT LIV FLIPS OVER INTO A JACKKNIFE COVER!
1
2
SHAYNA HAS TO BREAK THE HOLD TO KICK OUT!
Liv Morgan rolls out of the ring and drops to the outside, having used everything she had left to escape from the Kirifuda clutch, but now needs to recover. Shayna Baszler though, has no such mercy in mind and reaches through the ropes looking to grab Liv Morgan BY HER HAIR AS SHE TRIES TO DRAG HER BACK INTO THE RING BUT LIV COUNTERS DESPERATELY KICKING HER AWAY! Shayna stumbles back to the middle of the ring and LIV HITS A SPRINGBOARD MISSILE DROPKICK! Liv follows up by springing to her feet and connects with a STANDING MOONSAULT! Liv makes the cover
1
2
Shayna kicks out!
Shayna is down on the mat and she is struggling with Liv keeping her down with a DOUBLE FOOT STOMP! Liv then rolls away as she gets the crowd behind her and stalks Shayna, ready to finish her as she runs in looking for the JERSEY CODEBREAKER…SHAYNA CATCHES HER AND GETS HER UP FOR A GUTWRENCH POWERBOMB! Liv is slammed into the mat as Shayna makes the cover
1
2
LIV KICKS OUT!
Shayna looks furious but ready to end this as she looks to go for the KIRIFUDA CLUTCH ONCE AGAIN… BUT LIV FIGHTS WITH EVERYTHING SHE HAS LEFT TO STAY OUT OF IT! Shayna is sent stumbling back as Liv runs the ropes and brings Shayna into them as well… obLIVion! Liv slams Shayna into the mat and rolls onto her for the cover, unable to hook the leg due to the damage done to her left shoulder!
1
2
SHAYNA KICKS OUT!
Liv struggles to believe it as she rolls to the side of Shayna and clutches her left shoulder in pain! She knows she needs to give it one last shot, so she heads to the corner of the ring and makes the climb to the top rope! She keeps her eyes on Shayna, looking to make sure she doesn’t counter and DIVES OFF HITTING A DIVING MOONSAULT! Liv makes the cover
1
2
SHAYNA KICKS OUT…
AND LOCKS IN THE KIRIFUDA CLUTCH!
Shayna yanks on the lethal hold as Liv Morgan struggles to breathe, trapped in the middle of the ring and she can feel her dream of becoming Queen of the Ring starting to fade away! She tries to flip over one more time… BUT SHAYNA WRAPS HER LEGS AROUND LIV AND BLOCKS IT! Liv has nowhere to go and no way out of the hold, so before she passes out… SHE TAPS OUT!
Winner via submission: Shayna Baszler (10:22)
Shayna Baszler holds on for an extra couple of seconds before dropping Liv Morgan to the mat and rising to her feet with a smug smile on her face, one match away from becoming Queen of the Ring, plus earning a Women’s Universal or WWE Women’s title shot at Summerslam.
Michael Cole: Shayna Baszler does it again and now she will face Bianca Belair in the final later tonight!
Beth Phoenix: I hate to say it, but Shayna Baszler is looking as lethal as ever as the night carries on.
Nigel McGuinness: We have been calling Bianca Belair the favourite to become Queen of the Ring, but maybe we have been overlooking Shayna Baszler!
Shayna Baszler heads up the entrance ramp with a main event to prepare for before the camera cuts back to the ring, showing Liv Morgan struggling to her feet, but gets loud cheers from the live crowd.
Beth Phoenix: Liv fought with everything she had tonight and there is no shame in coming up short to Shayna.
Nigel McGuinness: She found the escape to the Kirifuda clutch once, but Shayna was ready the 2nd time. Liv though, I feel will be a champion one day!
Michael Cole: Well, up next, the Women’s Universal title is on the line as Rhea Ripley defends against Charlotte Flair. Let’s see how we got to this point!
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The video package that is shown next runs through Charlotte and Rhea’s previous clashes, starting with Rhea retaining her NXT Women’s title in a triple threat, also including Bianca Belair! We then see clips from last year’s Queen of the Ring, where Charlotte Flair defeated Rhea Ripley before we cut to the start of the year with Charlotte Flair becoming Women’s Universal Champion and Rhea Ripley winning the Royal Rumble, seemingly setting up a collision at WrestleMania 37!
We then see the news of Charlotte Flair picking up an injury in the lead-up to WrestleMania 37, forcing her to vacate the title. We hear Charlotte bitterly talking about the injury and claiming that was the only reason Rhea Ripley walked out of WrestleMania with the Women’s Universal title! Ripley would then be shown defeating Shayna Baszler at the Showcase of the Immortals before the win versus Alexa Bliss at Backlash is shown next… where CHARLOTTE RETURNED AND ATTACKED RHEA RIPLEY!
Charlotte Flair would make a point to target the right leg of Rhea Ripley, the same leg that Charlotte Flair missed at WrestleMania due to an injury to it. We would be shown clips of the weeks leading up to Queen of the Ring, where Charlotte would do whatever she could to avoid being attacked by the Champion out for revenge. The final clips of the promo would be speeches from both women, highlighting their hatred for one another and determination to walk out of Queen of the Ring with the Women’s Universal title!
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CHARLOTTE FLAIR gets loud boos from the live crowd as she walks onto the entrance ramp with her typical smug expression. She taunts the fans as she walks towards the ring before climbing inside and posing some more.
Michael Cole: Charlotte Flair is looking to do what no other woman has done and become a 10-time Women’s Champion tonight!
Nigel McGuinness: Even our colleague Beth hasn’t managed to achieve that in her career!
Beth Phoenix: Only won it 5 times myself Nigel, but I did manage to beat Charlotte Flair last year to win the Women’s Universal title at this very event.
Nigel McGuinness: What advice would you give to Rhea Ripley coming into this title defence?
Beth Phoenix: Charlotte is smart and will target the legs of Rhea Ripley to set up for the Figure 8. She will need to keep on guard because Charlotte adjusted against me once that stopped working.
Michael Cole: Well, Charlotte is stepping into the ring with one of the few women in WWE history who could match you in power in…
RHEA RIPLEY! She marches out onto the entrance ramp with a confident smirk as the crowd goes wild for the Nightmare! She walks to the ring with a purpose and stares directly at Charlotte Flair in the ring!
Nigel McGuinness: People call Rhea Ripley the future of the WWE, but there is an argument to say she is the now! The first ever NXT UK Women’s Champion, former NXT Women’s Champion, Royal Rumble winner and the current Women’s Universal Champion!
Michael Cole: Rhea Ripley has been on a tear the likes of which we have never seen ever since debuting on Monday Night Raw.
Beth Phoenix: She said she was coming to Raw to make it to the top and she did just that. Now the hardest part is staying on top!
Nigel McGuinness: When you are a champion, everyone has their eyes on you. They are waiting for you to fall and take everything from you.
Michael Cole: Charlotte Flair knows that pressure better than anyone in the WWE.
Beth Phoenix: And she is more than willing to exploit that pressure to get what she wants: her place at the top of the Women’s division.
Rhea Ripley steps into the ring across from Charlotte Flair as the usual title announcements are done. Neither woman takes their eyes off the other before the referee calls for the bell to get this match underway!
Women’s Universal title match:
Rhea Ripley © vs Charlotte Flair
Both women take their time after the bell rings, with neither woman wanting to make a mistake. You can see the look on Rhea’s face however, that she cannot wait to get her hands on Charlotte Flair and give her a beating! Rhea looks to charge in and grab hold of Charlotte… BUT THE QUEEN ROLLS AWAY! Charlotte keeps her distance from the champion before looking to go after the RIGHT LEG WITH A CHOP BLOCK… BUT RHEA IS READY FOR IT AVOIDING THE ATTACK!
Charlotte is down on the mat and Rhea quickly pounces on her STOMPING ON THE BACK OF CHARLOTTE FLAIR! She slams Charlotte Flair to the mat before Rhea picks her off the mat DEADLIFTS HER OFF THE MAT SLAMMING HER DOWN WITH A RELEASE GERMAN SUPLEX! Charlotte lands with a thud as Rhea poses to the live crowd! Charlotte stumbles up to her feet as Rhea follows up with a CLOTHESLINE SENDING CHARLOTTE TO THE FLOOR!
Rhea Ripley poses to the live crowd and has a smug smirk on her face as she stands tall in the middle of the ring, daring Charlotte Flair to come back at her. Outside the ring, The Queen is not happy and even slams the announcer’s table, having been shown up early on in this match. She takes her time getting back into the ring, telling the referee to get Rhea to back away. The champion puts her arms up and walks towards the opposite ropes, allowing Charlotte Flair to enter the ring!
She takes her time once again, wanting to scout out the champion and not get caught out once again. Rhea is happy to take her time, knowing that beating Charlotte is not going to happen quickly. Charlotte goes in and instead of going for the leg starts to lay into Ripley with a SERIES OF CHOPS! She peppers the chest of Rhea and hammers away a bunch of shots, which sends Rhea backward… UNTIL RIPLEY COUNTERS WITH A HEADBUTT DROPPING CHARLOTTE!
Charlotte struggles on the mat and clutches her head in pain as Rhea has a wicked smile before hitting Charlotte with a LOW-ANGLE DROPKICK! Ripley follows up with a cover 1 2 Charlotte kicks out! Ripley smirks as she is in total control of the match and looks to wear down Charlotte Flair on the mat before lifting her up into the air and locking her in a BEARHUG! Ripley wrenches on the midsection of Charlotte as she shows her total control of this match so far!
Charlotte struggles in the hold and tries to find a way out of the hold as Ripley has it locked in tightly! Charlotte eventually looks like she might break free from the hold, but Ripley thinks quickly and transitions it into a BACKBREAKER SLAMMING CHARLOTTE DOWN ONTO HER KNEE! Rhea makes the cover 1 2 Charlotte kicks out! Charlotte is struggling to get a foothold in this match as Rhea Ripley is in total control of the encounter so far and ready for everything Charlotte has tried so far!
Rhea grabs hold of Charlotte Flair and lifts her off the mat before slamming her down with a SNAP SUPLEX! Rhea is not done there as she lifts up Charlotte Flair and SLAMS HER DOWN WITH TWO MORE SNAP SUPLEXES IN A ROW! Rhea finishes up the flurry with a cover 1 2 Charlotte kicks out! Ripley is smirking as she stays in control of the mat, overpowering Charlotte! She picks up the Queen and looks to SLAM HER WITH A MILITARY PRESS… CHARLOTTE SLIPS OUT BEHIND HER!
Charlotte looks to go after the right leg of Rhea… BUT ONCE AGAIN THE CHAMPION IS READY FOR IT AND AVOIDS THE CHOP BLOCK! Rhea goes for another STOMP BUT CHARLOTTE MOVES OUT OF THE WAY JUST IN TIME AND SWEEPS THE LEG OF REHA BRINGING HER TO THE MAT! Charlotte heads to the corner of the ring and lines up Rhea for a DIVING MOONSAULT… BUT RHEA ROLLS OUT OF THE WAY… CHARLOTTE IS READY LANDING ON HER FEET AND GRABS A RISING RHEA HITTING AN EXPLODER SUPLEX!
Charlotte is showing her ring IQ before making a cover on Rhea 1 Ripley powers out! The Queen knows she needs to press the advantage as she runs the ropes and catches Rhea as she tries to sit up with a BASEMENT DROPKICK! Charlotte rolls over into another cover 1 Ripley powers out again! Charlotte looks a little annoyed as we start to reach the 5-minute mark in this match and even when Charlotte is on offense, Rhea Ripley looks to be in total control!
Charlotte grabs hold of Rhea, looking to grind her down on the mat and keep the pressure on the Women’s Universal Champion Rhea Ripley! She keeps her grounded for the moment, but Rhea soon manages to get back to her feet and FLIPS CHARLOTTE ONTO THE MAT IN FRONT OF HER BEFORE HITTING A LOW DROPKICK… CHARLOTTE GRABS THE RIGHT LEG IN MID-AIR AND HITS A DRAGON SCREW LEG WHIP! That was the opening Charlotte was looking for!
Charlotte smirks as she finally manages to get some offense off on the leg she has been trying to target throughout the match! Charlotte looks to stay on the attack and grab the leg of Ripley… BUT THE CHAMPION USES HER OTHER LEG TO BOOT CHARLOTTE AWAY! The Queen stumbles backward as Ripley gets back to her feet and SLAMS CHARLOTTE INTO THE CORNER OF THE RING! Ripley not wanting to let the Queen get back into this, charges in looking for a BIG BOOT…
CHARLOTTE AVOIDS IT! She rolls behind Rhea and CATCHES HER WITH A SWINGING NECKBREAKER DROPPING HER TO THE MAT! Charlotte Flair rolls out of the ring and has evil intentions as she grabs hold of the legs of Rhea Ripley, dragging her towards the ring post before SLAMMING THE RIGHT LEG OF RHEA RIPLEY INTO IT! A brutal attack by The Queen, who is determined to do whatever she needs to if it means getting her Women’s Universal title back!
Charlotte doesn’t stop at one slam, though and GOES HAM SENDING IT INTO THE RING POST AFTER 4 TIMES! The crowd shits all over Charlotte for this wild assault, but she just smiles before rolling in and out of the ring to break the count! She then grabs hold of the legs of Rhea Ripley and looks to lock in the FIGURE FOUR LEGLOCK AROUND THE RINGPOST! The Universal Champion screams in pain due to the damage being done as Charlotte uses the full count before finally letting go of the hold!
Charlotte gets back to her feet with a smug smirk on the outside, whilst inside the ring, Rhea Ripley is clutching her right leg, feeling the damage that has been done by Charlotte Flair just now! Charlotte climbs onto the ring apron and back into the ring before keeping Rhea grounded by hitting a KNEE DROP! Charlotte follows up with a cover 1 2 Rhea kicks out! Nigel on commentary, makes note of Charlotte yanking the right leg as she covers Ripley, looking to do extra damage to the champion!
Ripley winces in pain after the kick out as Charlotte relishes in the fact that she has taken total control of this match! The boos are ringing out but Charlotte doesn’t care and she showboats to the fans grabbing hold of the right leg ready to go for the FIGURE EIGHT EARLY… BUT RHEA THINKING QUICKLY GRABS HOLD OF THE ROPES! Rhea uses them to get back to a seated position as Charlotte smirks… BOOTING RIPLEY IN THE FACE!
Rhea slumps down next to the ropes as Charlotte smirks before grabbing hold of Rhea Ripley and shows off her deceptive strength hitting Rhea with a SUPLEX INTO THE TURNBUCKLES! Rhea’s back bounces off the turnbuckle as the champion is totally on the back foot now! Rhea tries to get up in the corner using the ropes, but Charlotte charges in HITTING THE QUEEN’S BOOT IN THE CORNER! Rhea slumps in the corner of the ring still standing as Charlotte follows up by hitting a series of CORNER KNEES TO THE RIGHT THIGH OF RHEA!
She lays into the champ getting a telling off from the referee as the Queen makes the full use of the referee’s count! Charlotte gets told off by the referee but she doesn’t care, looking to go back on the attack… BUT RHEA COUNTERS WITH AN STO OUT OF THE CORNER PLANTING CHARLOTTE TO THE MAT! Rhea takes the moment’s break to rest in the corner of the ring, whilst Charlotte rolls away for the moment. The commentary says Rhea might have to start looking to end this sooner rather than later, or she might lose her title and have a broken leg!
Charlotte gets back to her feet as Rhea slowly climbs to the top rope, steadying herself before hitting a MISSILE DROPKICK! She plants Charlotte to the mat, wincing slightly before making the cover 1 2 Charlotte kicks out! Rhea grabs hold of Charlotte off the mat after the kick out and grabs hold of her as she lifts her into the air SLAMMING HER DOWN WITH A DELAYED VERTICAL SUPLEX! Rhea makes another cover 1 2 Charlotte kicks out!
Rhea looks annoyed but nods to herself as she grits through the pain, knowing she is going to keep laying into Charlotte to keep her Women’s Universal title. She drags Charlotte off the mat… CHARLOTTE TRIES TO COUNTER GRABBING THE RIGHT LEG… BUT RHEA HITS A KNEE STRIKE WITH HER LEFT KNEE! Rhea follows up by grabbing Charlotte in a CRAVATE POSITION AND LAYING IN WITH KNEE STRIKES TO THE HEAD BEFORE SLAMMING HER BACK DOWN TO THE MAT!
Rhea Ripley follows up by hitting Charlotte with a SPINAL TAP to the back with her left leg! Charlotte shows in pain on the mat due to the damage done to the back during the match and Rhea keeps her down with a SNAPMARE SLAMMING HER HEAD INTO THE MAT! Rhea makes the cover 1 2 Charlotte kicks out! Rhea signals to the crowd she wants to end this and looks to lift Charlotte off the mat, getting her in position for the RIPTIDE… CHARLOTTE DESPERATELY FIGHTS OUT KICKING THE RIGHT LEG OF RHEA!
Rhea is forced to let go of Charlotte Flair and shouts in pain, allowing The Queen to send Rhea Ripley back to the mat with an ENZUGIRI! Charlotte makes the cover 1 2 Rhea kicks out! Charlotte gets back to her feet with a slight smirk on her face as she feels she is getting closer and closer to becoming a 10-time Women’s Universal Champion! Charlotte looks at Rhea, who rolls onto her front, making it harder for Charlotte to lock in the FIGURE EIGHT SO CHARLOTTE GOES FOR A SINGLE LEG CRAB!
Charlotte wrenches back on the hold and looks to keep the pressure on Rhea Ripley, working over her right leg! Rhea is in pain on the mat as Charlotte smirks, knowing she can either make Rhea tap to this hold or inflict more pain to set up the figure 8 later on in the match! Rhea looks to push off the mat and manages to break out of the hold as she sends Charlotte into the ring ropes to cheers from the live crowd! Rhea though, has to take a moment to recover whilst Charlotte licks her lips, smelling blood.
Charlotte goes right back on the attack and looks to charge at Rhea Ripley, looking to do further damage… RIPLEY COUNTERS WITH A FLAPJACK OVER THE TOP ROPE SENDING CHARLOTTE CRASHING TO THE RING FLOOR! Charlotte lands with a thud before she tries to slowly get back to her feet BUT RHEA HITS HER WITH A CANNONBALL SENTON OFF THE RING APRON WIPING OUT CHARLOTTE FLAIR! The crowd goes wild as Rhea struggles to her feet using the ring apron and looks at Charlotte Flair with disdain!
Rhea Ripley, for a few seconds, considers leaving Charlotte outside the ring but instead grabs hold of Charlotte, seemingly taking her towards the ring apron… BUT INSTEAD GETS HER ON HER SHOULDERS! Charlotte tries to fight out and escape, but Rhea brings her over to the STEEL STEPS AND CONNECTS WITH AN ELECTRIC CHAIR FACEBUSTER SLAMMING CHARLOTTE INTO THEM! Ripley quickly follows up by rolling Charlotte inside the ring and then makes the cover!
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CHARLOTTE KICKS OUT!
Rhea nods her head, looking disappointed but also kind of expecting it to take a little more to finish off The Queen tonight! She winces in pain due to the damage done to her right leg during the match, but the Nightmare is determined to keep the title around her waist! She grabs hold of Charlotte and looks to go for the RIPTIDE… BUT CHARLOTTE IS READY FOR IT COUNTERING WITH A FOREARM SMASH TO BREAK OUT OF HER GRIP! Rhea bounces back and Charlotte lifts her up SLAMMING HER DOWN WITH A SCOOP SUPLEX!
Charlotte shows off her surprising power once again before making the cover 1 2 Rhea Ripley kicks out! Charlotte nods to herself, looking annoyed, but she smiles seeing Rhea struggling down on the mat and HITS A KNEE DROP TO THE HEAD TO KEEP HER GROUNDED! Charlotte doesn’t stop there and hits a KNEE DROP TO THE RIGHT LEG TO KEEP THE PRESSURE UP! Rhea screams in pain and smirks to herself as she grabs the right leg of Rhea… AND LOCKS IN THE FIGURE FOUR LEGLOCK!
Charlotte has finally got her dad’s signature submission hold locked in and you can see the pain is etched in the face of the Champion as she struggles to survive the pain being inflicted. Charlotte meanwhile, tries to get the bridge for the FIGURE EIGHT locked in, but Ripley is fighting with everything she has to make sure Charlotte isn’t able to fully lock it in, learning from their battle last year and INSTEAD RHEA MANAGES TO FLIP THE PRESSURE NOW PUTTING THE PRESSURE BACK ON CHARLOTTE FLAIR!
The Queen knows how much this submission hurts and is feeling the pain of it as she scrambles for the ropes; however, they are far out of reach as Rhea pulls on the hold with everything she has… BUT IS FORCED TO BREAK IT DUE TO THE PAIN IT IS CAUSING HER OWN LEGS! A lucky escape for Charlotte, thanks to the damage she has done throughout the match, but The Queen doesn’t rest on her laurels and instead runs the ropes HITTING NATURAL SELECTION AS RHEA TRIES TO RISE BACK UP! Charlotte hooks the leg!
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RHEA RIPLEY KICKS OUT!
Charlotte for the first time in this match, looks slightly annoyed that Rhea Ripley isn’t going down easily! She smirks to herself and taunts Rhea, saying it is just a matter of time. Charlotte heads to the feet of Rhea and looks to go for the FIGURE… RHEA GRABS THE ARM OF CHARLOTTE AND GETS TO HER FEET AS SHE HITS CHARLOTTE WITH EAT DEFEAT! Charlotte falls to the mat, but Rhea has to roll away due to the pain in her right leg that she caused herself!
Charlotte is down on the mat as Ripley looks to fight through the pain in her right leg, but has an idea! Charlotte is still struggling on the mat as Ripley grabs her up off the mat and brings her back to her feet for a SHORT-ARM CLOTHESLINE… BUT RIPLEY HOLDS ON AND SPINS CHARLOTTE ROUND FOR A RIPCORD HEADBUTT! Charlotte is on wobbly legs, leading to Ripley scooping her up off the mat and PLANTS HER WITH THE RIPTIDE! Rhea goes into the cover!
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CHARLOTTE KICKS OUT!
Rhea rolls off of Charlotte and takes a moment to process that Charlotte was able to kick out of the Riptide! She takes a moment to recompose herself as she thinks about what to try next to end this match! Rhea winces in pain slightly but sees Charlotte struggling on the mat in a seated position and has an idea as she grabs hold of Charlotte by the arms, holding her in place… KAMIGOYE WITH HER LEFT KNEE! Charlotte falls back to the mat as Rhea hooks the leg!
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CHARLOTTE KICKS OUT!
Rhea looks to follow up as she looks to grab hold of Charlotte off the mat and gets her in the air, putting her over her shoulders… BUT CHARLOTTE SLIPS BEHIND AND HITS A BRUTAL CHOP BLOCK TO THE RIGHT LEG! Rhea screams in pain and crumples to the mat, allowing Charlotte to grab hold of her legs, locking the FIGURE FOUR LEGLOCK! Charlotte is wrenching in the hold as she looks to tear on the right leg and left leg of Rhea, who screams as she tries to escape… BUT CHARLOTTE MANAGES TO GET IT INTO THE FIGURE EIGHT!
Charlotte is putting everything she has into the Figure 8 as she tries to make sure Rhea Ripley taps out! Rhea grits her teeth and refuses to give up easily on keeping the Women’s Universal title around her waist! Rhea Ripley tries to power out of the hold or even attempt to reverse the pressure, but Charlotte has it locked in too tightly. Rhea realizes she isn’t going to power out of the hold and instead looks to make it to the ropes as soon as possible!
Rhea is in agony as she pulls and pulls Charlotte closer to the ropes, but The Queen pulls back on the hold, looking to cause as much pain as possible, dragging the Women’s Universal Champion away from the ropes! Rhea squirms in pain due to the damage but refuses to give up, getting closer and closer to the ropes… CHARLOTTE PULLS ONCE LAST TIME… BUT RIPLEY REACHES OUT AND GRABS THE ROPES FINALLY TO FORCE THE BREAK!
Charlotte keeps the hold on till the count of 4 before letting go as she lies on the mat and SLAMS IT WITH HER HANDS IN ANGER! She gets to her feet as she paces around and wonders what she needs to do to finish off the Universal Champion! Rhea Ripley looks to get back to her feet using the ropes, but CHARLOTTE GRABS HER FROM BEHIND SLAMMING HER DOWN WITH A GERMAN SUPLEX! Charlotte Flair lines up Rhea Ripley as she tries to get back up and CONNECTS WITH A SPEAR! Charlotte hooks the leg!
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RHEA RIPLEY KICKS OUT!
The crowd loudly cheers as Charlotte is full of anger that she cannot find a way to finish off Rhea Ripley and responds to the kick out by MOUNTING RHEA BEFORE LAYING IN A BUNCH OF PUNCHES TO THE HEAD! Charlotte gets to her feet and looks to the corner of the ring before climbing up top as she gets ready to go for her SIGNATURE MOONSAULT! She steadies herself on the top rope, ready to fly off… RHEA ATTACKS HER FROM BEHIND STOPPING HER FROM DIVING OFF THE TOP ROPE!
Rhea climbs to the top rope slowly due to the damage done to her right leg throughout the match, but CHARLOTTE LOOKS TO FIGHT BACK! Both women are battling on the top rope as they throw punches at each other… RHEA CLOCKS CHARLOTTE WITH A WICKED HEADBUTT STUNNING HER! Charlotte is rocked as Rhea grabs hold of Charlotte, lifting her up before BRINGING HER CRASHING TO EARTH WITH AN AVALANCHE RIPTIDE! Rhea Ripley rolls over into the cover
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3
Winner via pinfall and still Women’s Universal Champion: Rhea Ripley (23:16)
The crowd goes wild as Rhea Ripley gets to her feet, having retained her Women’s Universal title against what will likely be one of her toughest challenges ever! She struggles to her feet, slightly in pain, but she proudly lifts her title into the air whilst Charlotte is down on the mat!
Michael Cole: Rhea Ripley has defeated Charlotte Flair and remains the Women’s Universal Champion!
Beth Phoenix: She took everything Charlotte Flair threw at her and gave it back to the Queen!
Nigel McGuinness: Rhea has become known for her toughness, but Flair put that to the test tonight!
Rhea Ripley heads up the entrance ramp, lifting her title into the air with a smile on her face before we cut to Charlotte Flair in the ring. She gets to her feet, looking annoyed and frustrated, having come up short tonight in the pursuit of her 10th Women’s title!
Michael Cole: Charlotte will have to regroup if she wants to get back into contention for the Women’s Universal or WWE Women’s title, depending on what brand she ends up on tomorrow.
Beth Phoenix: A Flair always finds a way to get into contention for the gold!
Nigel McGuinness: Well, we can focus on that tomorrow, but right now we have Kayla Braxton with Bianca Belair looking to interview her ahead of tonight’s main event!
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KAYLA BRAXTON thanks Nigel before turning to BIANCA BELAIR who has a smile on her face, looking confident. Kayla asks how Belair is feeling and she tells her that she is a bit sore but coming into a tournament like this, that’s to be expected. Kayla asks if she is worried about Shayna Baszler targeting any of the knocks she has picked up throughout the night, but Belair responds by shaking her head, saying she fought one of the MMA Horsewomen already and is now ready to kick the ass of another to become Queen!
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We then cut to CATHY KELLEY who is also standing ready for an interview with SHAYNA BASZLER! Cathy asks Shayna how she is feeling as she warms up for the match and Baszler makes it clear that she has been about finding the weak spots in her opponents all night. She says she just has to do it one more time to Belair. Cathy asks Shayna if she has any thoughts on people calling Belair the favourite tonight, prompting an evil smirk to appear on her face and says she would love nothing more than breaking the fans’ hearts before heading to the ring, whilst we cut to a recap of both Women’s paths to the final!
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Bianca Belair’s run to the final:
Round of 32: Defeated Stevie Turner
Round of 16: Defeated Alexa Bliss
Quarter finals: Defeated Natalya
Semi-finals: Defeated Naomi
Shayna Baszler’s path to the semi-finals:
Round of 32: Defeated Mandy Rose
Round of 16: Defeated Tegan Nox
Quarter finals: Defeated Toni Storm
Semi-finals: Defeated Liv Morgan
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BIANCA BELAIR makes her way out, getting a huge pop from the live crowd! She doesn’t skip to the ring, still feeling the damage from her encounters with Natalya and Naomi during this tournament. She looks confident on the way to the ring, for potentially the biggest match of her career so far!
Beth Phoenix: Bianca Belair is the favourite to win and replace me as the Queen of the Ring. My God, do I hope she proves the bookmakers right!
Nigel McGuinness: How painful would it be for you to have to crown Shayna Baszler as Queen of the Ring?
Beth Phoenix: I don’t even want to think about it, Nigel.
Michael Cole: Even with Bianca Belair's strength and power, she is going to have a hard time against Shayna Baszler in tonight’s final!
Nigel McGuinness: As a technical expert, you can be as strong and fast as you want. If I get you trapped on the mat in the right submission hold, it doesn’t matter how tough you are!
Michael Cole: But will Shayna Baszler be able to get her lethal submissions locked in on the E.S.T.?
SHAYNA BASZLER walks out getting loud boos from the live crowd, but she doesn’t care, cutting her signature pose at the top of the entrance ramp before heading to the ring with a purpose!
Michael Cole: Shayna Baszler has spent the last couple of years tearing apart the Women’s division with Ronda Rousey by her side before turning on her once she was no longer useful!
Beth Phoenix: It says a lot about the morals of someone like Shayna to do that to someone pregnant, let alone someone she used to be best friends with!
Nigel McGuinness: I usually say you do whatever it takes to win and whatever it takes to make it to the top, but even for me, I felt that was going too far on Shayna’s part!
Beth Phoenix: See why I wouldn’t want to crown this woman as my successor!
Nigel McGuinness: You might not have a choice in the matter, sadly Beth!
Michael Cole: Shayna will have been watching Belair’s matches earlier tonight and looking for any weakness. Like a shark, if she smells blood, she will go on the attack!
Shayna now stands in the ring across from Belair as both women stare each other down. The usual announcements are done for the Queen of the Ring final before the referee calls for the bell to get this match underway!
Queen of The Ring Final:
Bianca Belair vs Shayna Baszler
The bell rings as the crowd can be heard chanting for the E.S.T., bringing a slight confident smile to Belair’s face. Shayna remains unfazed, used to the crowd rooting against her, but she has her game plan. Baszler looks for an opening as she grapples with Belair in the middle of the ring and tries to bring her down to the mat… BUT BELAIR OVERPOWERS HER AND SLAMS BASZLER DOWN TO THE MAT! Belair makes the cover 1 Shayna kicks out!
Belair is a bit shocked, but it is still going to take a lot to take down Shayna Baszler! Belair looks to grab Shayna, who tries to grab hold of the arm of Belair… BUT THE E.S.T. FIRES OFF A BUNCH OF FOREARMS SMASHES! Shayna is being rocked by the blows and has to roll away from Belair, looking to make it to the ropes to get some breathing room! Belair has no intention of letting up as she wants to become Queen of the Ring… BUT SHAYNA SENDS HER INTO THE ROPES WITH A STUN GUN!
Belair winces in pain, having been sent throat-first into the ropes, but she has a smile on her face, following up with a RELEASE GERMAN SUPLEX! She sends Belair flying across the ring with a thud as a wicked smile comes onto Shayna’s face! Belair tries to get back to her feet, but Shayna grabs her from behind as she puts him in a HEADLOCK. She looks to work on the head and neck of Belair! The E.S.T. though, is ready for it and fights Shayna off, sending her backward!
Both women are ready to fight with everything they have to walk out as Queen of the Ring as they meet in the middle and lock up with one another! Both women battle for control with each other, with Shayna looking like she is going to manage to get Belair in an ABDOMINAL STRETCH… BUT BELAIR COUNTERS SCOOPING HER ONTO HER SHOULDERS AND HITTING A MILITARY PRESS SNAKE EYES! Shayna stumbles off the turnbuckle, getting a BIG BOOT TO THE HEAD FALLING BACK!
Belair keeps the pressure up by laying into Shayna Baszler whilst she is slumped in the corner with a SERIES OF FOREARM SMASHES TO THE HEAD KEEPING THE PRESSURE UP! Belair backs away for the moment, heading to the corner on the opposite end of the ring before connecting with a SPEAR WHILST SHAYNA IS PRESSED IN THE CORNER! Belair pulls Shayna out of the corner before making the cover 1 2 Shayna kicks out!
The crowd is loudly behind the E.S.T., desperate for her to make sure Shayna doesn’t walk out of tonight with yet another accolade! Belair grabs hold of Shayna, taking a few seconds before lifting Shayna into the air MANAGING TO HOLD HER UP FOR A FEW SECONDS BEFORE SLAMMING HER DOWN WITH A VERTICAL SUPLEX! Belair makes the cover 1 2 Shayna kicks out! Belair has a smile on her face and looks ready to try to finish off Shayna tonight!
She grabs hold of Shayna, looking to lift her off the mat… SHAYNA COUNTERS AND TRANSITIONS INTO AN ARMBAR! Shayna wrenches on the hold, looking to do as much damage to the left arm of Bianca Belair! The E.S.T. is struggling with the pain but looks to fight through and uses her insane power to get SHAYNA OFF THE MAT AND POWERBOMBS HER TO THE MAT TO BREAK THE HOLD! Belair doesn’t make the cover straight away as she checks on her arm, giving Shayna time to recover.
Belair looks for a way to escape from the hold, struggling due to the pain! Belair though is nothing if not tough and uses her strength to get an arm free before TRANSITIONING AS SHE GETS SHAYNA ONTO HER SHOULDERS AND CONNECTS WITH AN AIR RAID CRASH SLAMMING HER DOWN TO THE MAT! Belair once again does not make the cover due to the pain in her back and it is Shayna who gets back to her feet first, ready to do even more damage to Belair!
Belair tries to get back to her feet, slowly looking to climb up…. BUT BASZLER LOOKS TO CONNECT WITH A KICK TO THE HEAD! Belair falls back down to the mat and Shayna makes the cover 1 2 Belair kicks out! Shayna has a smug smirk on her face and has an idea as she points to Beth Phoenix on commentary, shouting this is for her BEFORE FLIPPING BIANCA BELAIR ONTO HER FRONT AND LOCKING IN HER OWN VERSION OF THE SHARPSHOOTER!
Shayna wrenches back on the hold as she looks to cause as much pain as possible to the back of the E.S.T.! She struggles in the hold as Nigel points out that being in this hold once is painful enough, but being in this signature submission hold for a 2nd time in a row would be excruciating pain! Beth says Shayna should focus on winning the match instead of picking a submission hold to taunt her! Belair is struggling in the hold but is relatively close to the ropes, so she grabs hold of them to break the lethal hold!
Shayna doesn’t keep it on until the count of 5 and instead lets go at the count of 3, having a smirk on her face! Belair looks to climb up to her feet using the ropes… SHAYNA GRABS HER FROM BEHIND AND SLAMS HER DOWN WITH A GERMAN SUPLEX! Shayna follows up with a cover 1 2 Belair kicks out! Belair is in a ton of pain but fighting to stay alive whilst Shayna Baszler smirks and looks to grab hold of her one more time… BELAIR FIRES OFF A WICKED FOREARM SMASH!
Shayna Baszler is rocked by the blow from Belair, who gets back to her feet and hits a RUNNING SINGLE LEG DROPKICK! Shayna falls to the mat as Belair makes the cover 1 2 Baszler kicks out! Belair gets to a seated position as she sees the crowd cheering her on and MOUNTS SHAYNA TO LAY INTO HER WITH A SERIES OF FOREARMS… SHAYNA TRIES TO GRAB THE ARM OF BELAIR… BUT SHE COUNTERS SCOOPING UP BASZLER AND HITS A FALLAWAY SLAM! Belair makes another cover 1 2 Baszler kicks out!
Belair nods to herself and slightly winces in pain, feeling the effects of this match as it goes on longer! The E.S.T. knows that she needs to end this match sooner rather than later and looks to bring Shayna off the mat as she slowly gets her onto her shoulders, feels the pain, but gets ready to go for the K.O… SHAYNA SLAMS BELAIR DOWN TO THE MAT WITH A NECKBREAKER! Shayna follows up with a cover 1 2 Belair kicks out once again! Shayna senses the end and grabs hold of Belair… LOCKING IN THE KIRIFUDA CLUTCH! She wrenches on the hold as she tries to choke the life out of the E.S.T. on the mat, who struggles and looks to fight out of the hold…
BEFORE SEEING THE ROPES NEARBY AND GETS HER FOOT ON THE ROPES! Shayna keeps the hold on till the count of 4 this time before dropping Belair to the mat, SLAMMING HER BACK DOWN FOR GOOD MEASURE! Belair struggles in pain and looks to lift herself up to her feet using the ropes as Shayna tries to grab hold of her… BUT BELAIR ELBOWS HER IN THE HEAD SENDING HER FALLING TO THE MAT! Shayna gets back to her feet and looks to charge at Belair… WHO COUNTERS AND SENDS SHAYNA CRASHING OVER THE ROPES TO THE OUTSIDE OF THE RING…
BEFORE RUNNING THE ROPES AND DIVES OVER THEM WIPING OUT SHAYNA! The crowd goes wild for the high-risk move from Bianca Belair, who uses the ringside barricade to get back to her feet. She sees Shayna Baszler struggling to her feet and LIFTS HER UP HITTING A POWERBOMB ON THE RING FLOOR! Belair doesn’t stop there HITTING ANOTHER BEFORE HITTING A THIRD ON THE RING FLOOR! She grabs Shayna, having to take a few seconds due to the pain in her back, before rolling her inside and making the cover
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SHAYNA KICKS OUT!
Belair rolls away from Shayna and sits in the corner of the ring before looking up to the top rope and having an idea! She takes her time slowly climbing up to the top rope, struggling to climb quickly due to the damage done to her back, but slowly looks to scale to the top… SHAYNA CUTS HER OFF AS SHE REACHES THE TOP STUNNING HER ON THE ROPES! Shayna joins her on the top rope and GUTWRENCHES HER UP BEFORE HITTING A BACK SUPERPLEX! Both women land with a hard thud before Shayna slowly rolls into the cover
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BELAIR KICKS OUT!
Shayna is starting to look slightly annoyed that Bianca Belair refuses to go down easily and looks to end this! She stalks Belair from behind and stands behind her, ready to go for the KIRIFUDA CLUTCH ONE MORE TIME! She grabs hold of Belair and looks to wrap her entire body around the E.S.T., trying to choke the life out of her… BUT BELAIR THINKING QUICKLY COUNTERS AND GETS SHAYNA IN POSITION… K.O.D.! Belair falls into the cover!
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SHAYNA KICKS OUT!
Belair flops off of Shayna and lies next to her with her head in her hands, wondering what else she will need to do to finish off Shayna Baszler. Michael Cole on commentary wonders if Belair is starting to feel the pressure getting to her, saying she has been so close to making it to the top but just missing out. Beth Phoenix says Belair needs to get her head back in the game and find what it takes to finish off Shayna Baszler tonight. Belair recomposes herself before she grabs hold of Shayna Baszler, ready to go for the K.O.D. ON MORE TIME…
SHAYNA COUNTERS INTO A GUILLOTINE CHOKE AND WRENCHES IT TIGHTLY AROUND THE NECK AND HEAD OF BELAIR! Bianca is trapped in the hold and has to think quickly… SLAMMING SHAYNA BACK-FIRST INTO THE RING POSTS! Belair stumbles backward, struggling for breath after the choke… SHAYNA HITS A SPEAR! The leader of the MMA Horsewomen doesn’t stop there as she slowly GUTWRECHES BELAIR OFF THE MAT AND THEN POWERBOMBS HER INTO THE CANVAS! Baszler makes the cover
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BELAIR KICKS OUT!
Shayna looks furious that Bianca will not stay down and slams the mat before she takes a moment to look Beth on commentary dead in the eyes and tells her this is how her career ended before grabbing Belair from behind and LOCKING IN THE KIRIFUDA CLUTCH! Shayna wrenches on the hold as tight as she can and is starting to choke the life out of Belair on the mat! Beth Phoenix on commentary starts to loud cheers for Belair, hoping the E.S.T. can find a way out of the hold, but BELAIR IS IN HUGE TROUBLE RIGHT NOW!
She is struggling in the hold as Shayna has a sinister smirk as she can feel the breath going from Belair’s lungs, whilst she is trying to fight for her life and get out of the hold! The referee comes over to check on Belair and we can see her eyes are STARTING TO CLOSE SO THE REFEREE GRABS HER ARM TO SEE IF SHE HAS PASSED OUT! HE LIFTS IT UP AND DROPS THE ARM… BUT BELAIR HOLDS IT IN THE AIR! SHE IS NOT OUT JUST YET! Belair grits her teeth and tries to slowly get back into a standing position to escape the hold!
She slowly gets to her KNEES STUMBLING AT FIRST BEFORE SLOWLY GETTING INTO A VERTICAL POSITION! We can see the worry on Shayna’s face as Belair is not standing ready to transition the hold into a move of her own… SO SHAYNA BREAKS IT AND PULLS THE HAIR OF BELAIR… BIG MISTAKE AS SHE USES THAT TO SEND HER DOWN TO THE MAT WITH A LARIAT! Belair isn’t done there as she picks up Shayna and for the 2nd time tonight, SHE HITS A GLAM SLAM! Belair hooks the leg
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SHAYNA KICKS OUT!
Shayna is not going down easily, but Belair is ready to end this and she has a big idea! She heads to the corner of the ring, slowly using the ropes to get to the top. She takes a few seconds to compose herself as she still feels the shooting pains in her back BEFORE FLYING OFF THE TOP ROPE WITH A 450 SPLASH! Belair stays on Shayna Baszler for the cover
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Winner via pinfall and Queen of the Ring: Bianca Belair (18:07)
The crowd goes wild as Bianca Belair lies next to Shayna Baszler, feeling the pain still shooting up her spine, but she has managed to put away a former Women’s Universal, NXT and tag team champion to become Queen of the Ring, earning a Women’s title shot at Summerslam!
Michael Cole: Bianca Belair is the Queen of the Ring!
Beth Phoenix: And I could not be happier with our winner tonight! Belair came into the tournament as the favourite, and she proved everyone who gave her that label right!
Nigel McGuinness: Bianca Belair now has a golden ticket at Summerslam but which brand and which title will she end up fighting for?
Shayna Baszler leaves the ring with a scowl on her face as Bianca Belair is in the ring celebrating, as we can see a throne being brought into the ring for Belair to take a seat on, with the crowd cheering her on.
Beth Phoenix: Well it is time for me to crown our new Queen!
Beth leaves the commentary desk and heads towards the ring with a smile on her face. She joins Bianca Belair inside the ring and passes the crown before placing it on Bianca Belair’s head! The old Queen of the Ring has just crowned the new Queen of the Ring!
Nigel McGuinness: All hail our new Queen Bianca Belair!
Michael Cole: It has been an action-packed show and remember, tomorrow night we have the WWE Draft! You don’t want to miss it!
Queen of the Ring comes to a close with Bianca Belair celebrating her coronation in the ring as the show fades to black!
EWR RATING:
61%
