Although the build to Summerslam continues, the big stories this week involve the women of WWE.
Not only was the field finally set for the Mae Young Classic, but the ladies also broke ground at the announce table this week. It’s entirely possible at this point that the Evolution PPV could feature women in every role on the broadcast both in and out of the ring. I’ve also got injury updates and the latest matches for next weeks dual PPV weekend. Let’s do this!
Summerslam Plans
RAW- With 2 weeks left until the big summer show, Raw was mainly about continuing to build the existing feuds. Though not yet official, it would seem that the tag titles will get a triple threat match at Summerslam between current champs the B Team, former champs the Deleters of Worlds, and “top guys” the Revival. Lashley and Elias also continued down the road to a yet to be announced showdown. The only new match made official on the show was Finn Balor vs Constable Baron Corbin.
Smackdown Live- Quite a few Summerslam bouts were made official on Tuesday night. Nakamura will defend his US Title against Jeff Hardy, but given the events of the last few weeks I assume Randy Orton will eventually be added to this match in some capacity. The Miz accepted a match with Daniel Brian. The New Day defeated the Bar in the finals of the tag team tournament and will now face the Bludgeon Brothers for the titles. Additionally, Zelina Vega and Andrade Almas continued their feud with the Rusev Day faction. Thus far this series of matches has been more about the potential breakup of Rusev’s trio than any actual heat between the factions. However I wouldn’t be surprised to see a mixed tag match added to the Summerslam undercard, if for no other reason than to get these talented performers a spot on the show given the strong work most of them have been doing this year.
Card thus far:
Universal Title- Brock Lesnar© vs Reigns
Raw Womens Title- Alexa Bliss© vs Ronda Rousey
Smackdown Womens Title- Carmella© vs Becky Lynch vs Charlotte Flair
Kevin Owens vs Braun Strowman with the MitB contract on the line
Intercontinental Title- Dolph Ziggler© vs Seth Rollins
WWE World Title- AJ Styles© vs Samoa Joe
Smackdown Tag Titles- Bludgeon Brothers© vs New Day
Cruiserweight Title- Cedric Alexander© vs Drew Gulak
Finn Balor vs Constable Baron Corbin
US Title: Shinsuke Nakamura© vs Jeff Hardy
The Miz vs Daniel Brian
NXT News
NXT General Manager William Regal announced that the NXT title would be on the line in a triple threat match between current title holder Ciampa, former champion Aleister Black, and Johnny Gargano. Alas, given Black’s injury status (see injury report below), this has since been changed to a one on one match between former partners Ciampa and Gargano. Additionally, the main event will now be a Last Man Standing match between the former DIY partners turned arch rivals.
*Spoilers from the tapings are available online, but I’ll only be reporting the developments as they unfold on television.
Takeover card thus far:
NXT Womens Title- Shayna Baszler© vs Kairi Sane
NXT Tag Titles- Undisputed Era© vs Mustache Mountain
NXT North American Title- Adam Cole (Bay Bay)© vs Ricochet
EC3 vs Velveteen Dream
NXT title:Last Man Standing- Tomasso Ciampa© vs Johnny Gargano
Injury Report
Sami Zayn had the 2nd of his rotator cuff surgeries this week. He’s got a lot of healing and rehab ahead but hopes to return to action in time for Wrestlemania season.
Reports began circulating after publication last week that former NXT champion Aleister Black may be injured. WWE all but confirmed those rumors last night by running an injury angle that left Black beat up in the parking lot after the show. The former champ reportedly has a groin injury which he has already undergone surgery to repair. It’s unknown at this time how long he will be out, but they provided several options for who his attackers might be so that he’ll have read-made feuds upon his eventual return. Needless to say, he won’t be ready for a rematch against current champion Tomasso Ciampa at Takeover Brooklyn next week.
Though he was thought to be clear, reports now indicate that Jason Jordan is still having lingering issues post surgery. Meanwhile, WWE continues to tease the possibility of Dean Ambrose making his return to aid Seth Rollins in his continuing feud against Ziggler and McIntyre. Could this all be a swerve though? Perhaps they’re intentionally hinting at Ambrose and planting false rumors about Jordan so that it’s a surprise when Jordan is the one who shows up to help former partner Rollins. If the plan is still for Jason to go heel that would certainly get boos from the audience. I guess we’ll just have to wait and see who, if anyone, runs out to help Seth at Summerslam.
Mae Young Classic 2
WWE finally revealed 5 of the 6 remaining competitors for the MYC2. First up is Allysin Kay. Well known on the indy scene, Kay is also a former Knockouts Champion (under the name Sienna). Next up is MJ Jenkins who is a recent addition to the Performance Center. Former PC trainee Xia Li is back for a 2nd attempt at MYC glory. Also back for a 2nd run is Rachel Evers, daughter of Hall of Famer Paul Ellering. Last up is a Chilean wrestler by the name of Zatara.
This brings us up to 31 of the 32 women competing in this year’s tournament. The final spot went to the winner of a qualifying match on this week’s episode of NXT. Taynara Conti defeated Vanessa Borne to earn the final spot in the tournament. Here’s the full list of competitors for this year:
Aerial Monroe, Allysin Kay (formerly Sienna on Impact Wrestling), Ashley Rayne (formerly Madison Rayne), Deonna Purrazzo, Hiroyo Matsumoto, Io Shirai, Isla Dawn, Jessie Elaban, Jinny, Kacy Catanzaro, Kaitlyn, Karen Q, Kavita Devi, Killer Kelly, Lacey Lane, MJ Jenkins, Meiko Satomura, Mercedes Martinez, Mia Yim, Nicole Matthews, Priscilla Kelly, Rachel Evers, Reina Gonzalez, Rhea Ripley, Taynara Conti, Tegan Nox, Toni Storm, Vanessa Kraven, Xia Brookside, Xia Li, Zatara, and Zeuxis
The tournament began filming this week. Spoilers are available but won’t be shared here. Starting next week the MYC will get a weekly show after NXT each Wednesday. August 15th will be the Bracketology special hosted by Mauro Ranallo and WWE Hall of Famer Beth Pheonix. Matches from the tournament will begin airing on August 22nd with the announce team of Pheonix, Renee Young, and Michael Cole. Though mostly known for preshow hosting and interviews these days, Young does have experience at the announce desk. Meanwhile Pheonix got her start as an announcer during the Mixed Match Challenge. This will be the 1st time they’ve ever had two women calling the action on a regular WWE show, and I imagine if it goes well the same team could also end up calling the action at the Evolution PPV.
Women on the Mic
In addition to calling all of the action for the Mae Young Classic, Renee Young will also be sitting in at the announce desk for Raw this coming Monday. She’ll be the first woman to ever call an entire broadcast of WWE’s flagship show. Young has in recent weeks expressed her desire to be at the desk for the Evolution PPV in October, and she appears to be on the path to making that dream a reality.
