The WWE first show of 2019 features the return of John Cena. A rematch between Jeff Hardy and Samoa Joe. A Fatal Five-Way match to determine Daniel Bryan’s opponent at Royal Rumble. The Man is still the Man. Let’s get started!
It’s a New Day with New Day. Jeff Hardy vs Samoa Joe rematch for qualification.
New Day kicks of WWE 2019.
New Day arrives to much of the crowds pleasure. Xavier and Kofi dress up, Big E… well dresses like the New Year, diaper and all. They announce that all three will be in the Royal Rumble. In which, causes Big E going into “Steiner Math” (If you don’t know, look it up on Youtube) & Kofi going on a rant about not getting a title shot. Funny and entertaining opening. They then introduce Jeff Hardy for the first match.
Jeff Hardy vs Samoa Joe qualification match for Fatal Five-Way. Joe wins via Coquina Clutch.
Both men lock up, with Samoa Joe taking control over the match. Joe hits big kicks to Hardy and quickly rolls up Jeff in a knee bar. Hardy fights back and lands a Jawbreaker and shots to Joe’s knee against the ring post. Jeff gets back in the ring to attack Joe and gains momentum. Afterwards Joe rolls out of the ring and angrily takes aprt the announcer’s table. After a brief fight outside, Hardy gets Joe back into the ring and unloads on Joe. Hardy goes for the Twist Of Fate, but Joe counters.
This is all Joe needed, flattening Jeff with a huge Shoulder Block. Jeff tries the Whisper In The Wind, again Joe counters and follows with a running, sitdown dropkick. Jeff fights back, hits Twist Of Fate and Swanton Bomb. Joe rolls out with Hardy following. Samoa then locks in his Coquina Clutch, the referee starts the count out. Joe rolls back in and starts the count again for Jeff. Hardy beats the count, only to get locked in Joe’s Coquina Clutch for the second time. Landing Samoa Joe the win.
Story time for AJ Styles and Rusev. Mandy Rose Tricks Naomi.
AJ confronts Vince McMahon, Rusev is “USA”?
A couple of segments follows the last match. All just filler, with AJ confronting Vince and Shane by his side. Styles tells Vince he will not apologize for last weeks chin shot and Shane stands up. AJ says the real AJ will be in the ring tonight. Shane tells Vince to be careful in what you ask for to his father.
Rusev gets his day to talk about winning the U.S Championship. I am not sure if it was nerves or poor planning. However, Rusev came across as someone who does not need a microphone. Fans know that Rusev can be a great talker, but tonight he flubbed his words. Shinsuke then attacks, Lana jumps on Shin, then Rusev hits a Machka Kick and potentially injuring Lana. *yawn*
Naomi vs Mandy Rose…. and then Sonya DeVille? Sonya DeVille wins via pinfall from front slam.
Again, story time. This from last week’s pre-taped SDL in which Mandy Rose was flirting with Naomi’s husband, Jimmy Uso. A match is sanctioned between the two, however when the match was about to start Rose rolls out. Leaving Sonya DeVille to be Naomi’s true opponent. What could’ve been a good match between the two, turned into about a 90 second match, with Rose distracting Naomi. Mandy gets a mic and tells Naomi that she sent Jimmy a picture of her draped in a towel. Allowing Sonya to hit a big knee and what looks to be Sonya’s new finisher for the pin.
The return of John Cena and The Man answers. Mix tag team match.
John Cena arrives, with shaggy hair and all. Cena goes on about the Bumblebee movie is certified “fresh” on Rotton Tomatoes, how his love life was for all to see, that he is back for unknown reasons. John then states this where a man will come from the back to challenge him and try to take his spot from the top. As predicted, someone did… except it’s The Man, Becky Lynch. The Lassinator then asks Cena if he is suprised that it’s her, stating that she will be the one to overtake Cena’s hold on the WWE. Lynch also says that if he doesn’t like it, Nikki Bella won’t be the only woman to drop him this year. Vicious.
More opportunists. John Cena/Becky Lynch vs Cien Almas/Zelina Vega. Lynch wins via Dis-Arm-Her.
Vega and Lynch start off, with Becky quickly overpowering Zelina. It’s really not a contest. Almas then gets tagged in, forcing Lynch to tag in Cena, per rules. John and Almas lock up, with Cien taking control. Almas starts to dissect the now part timer Cena. Even getting Zelina opportunities to get hits in on Cena. Almas then hits his double knee and Moonsault to standing Moonsault on Cena. Almas then attempts another double knee, but Cena dodges and hot tags Lynch. With Vega now having to enter the ring, Becky destroys her. Displaying the size advantage over her with tossing her around the ring. Becky goes for the Dis-Arm-Her, but Almas breaks it up. Cena then enters the ring with his “Six Moves Of Doom” taking out Almas, and Becky repaying the favor throwing out Cena. Vega rolls up Lynch for a pin, but Becky counters with the Dis-Arm-Her for the win.
Fatal Five-Way match to determine number one contender for WWE Title match vs Daniel Bryan.
AJ Styles vs Samoa Joe vs Mustafa Ali vs Randy Orton vs Rey Mysterio.
Everyone attacks each other in the free for all, with AJ clearing the ring. Mustafa then pulls Styles from the outside and AJ rewards Ali with a ring post shot. Now it’s on between Orton and Styles, with Randy coming up on top. The Viper then focuses on Ali and attempts a suspended DDT, Ali counters and hits a rolling X-Factor. With Orton and Ali out, Rey Mysterio faces off against AJ Styles. The two trade blows ending in a stalemate, then the Viper comes outt nowhere and hits an RKO on Rey. Orton attempts to do the same to Styles, but AJ counters and his backflip to reverse DDT.
After the commercial break, the once in control AJ is now down for Orton. Randy starts to attack Rey and then goes after AJ. Styles throw both out of the ring and then Ali seeks his opportunity. Mustafa and Styles go toe to toe with Styles gaining control. AJ then goes for the Phenomenal Forearm, but is clipped from Samoa Joe. The Submission Machine then slams Styles in the announcer’s table. Leading Mustafa and Rey Mysterio flying outside the ring to take out Joe and Orton.
The ending and contender for the WWE title at Royal Rumble.
Ali and Rey Mysterio are now left alone to fight it out. The two do not disappoint, with both their high flying arsenal. After a skirmish, Rey is on top of the turnbuckle attempting a Frog Splash. Mustafa then runs up the turnbuckle to meet Rey. Mysterio pushes Ali off, only to have Mustafa flip out of it, run back up and deliver a Spanish Fly. Ali goes for the pin, but Samoa Joe breaks it up. Joe then takes it to Ali, with Mustafa fighting back. Ali goes for the Inverted 450 and misses. Rey then goes 619 crazy and delivers it to all, but Styles. AJ then sneaks in to land a springboard 450 splash on Orton for the win. Styles will now face Daniel Bryan at Royal Rumble for the title.
