Turnbuckle Talk Wrestling

Money in the Bank is officially in the rearview — but the fallout is just getting started.

Aiden Haystack takes the lead as we catch up on the biggest results from Money in the Bank, including LA Knight coming up short against Roman Reigns after the match of his life, Penta becoming Mr. Money in the Bank, WWE passing on Roxanne Perez, Oba Femi surviving Bronson Reed, and Liv Morgan reclaiming the Women’s World Championship.

Then Alexander the Great takes over for the full Monday Night RAW Fallout — and by the end of the night, Carmelo Hayes had new life in WWE.

🔥 Carmelo Hayes is 946. After being left off the WrestleMania card and underutilized for far too long, Melo shocks everyone by joining 946 as their war with The Bloodline reaches another level.

🏆 Chad Gable and Rey Fenix steal RAW, tearing the house down in an Intercontinental Championship match that immediately enters the conversation for one of WWE’s best TV matches of the year.

🤨 What the hell is WWE doing with LA Knight? After proving he belongs in the main event against Roman Reigns, is Knight already being sent right back into the Bloodline vortex?

💔 Roxanne Perez’s missed opportunity becomes even more frustrating. Liv Morgan is champion again, Chelsea Green arrives on RAW, and WWE immediately shows just how many possibilities Roxanne could’ve had if she were carrying the Money in the Bank briefcase.

Plus: Penta begins life as Mr. Money in the Bank, Oba Femi shuts down Paul Heyman, Stephanie Vaquer and Becky Lynch continue their issues, and we preview a loaded SmackDown featuring Sami Zayn, Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton, Paige vs. Nikki Bella, R-Truth vs. Damian Priest, and Rey Fenix vs. Ricky Saints for the AAA Cruiserweight Championship.

📰 NEWS & RUMORS: WWE reportedly has a backup plan for Crown Jewel amid Saudi Arabia safety concerns • Cody Rhodes challenges Sami Zayn for the Undisputed WWE Championship • Adam Copeland announces plans to retire in 2027 • WWE reportedly discusses CM Punk vs. Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns vs. Oba Femi for WrestleMania 43.

🎧 Listen to Turnbuckle Talk Wrestling on Apple Podcasts, Spotify & Amazon Music.

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Alexander the Great X: @Froe87 TikTok: @Alexander.the.Great.87

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Money in the Bank 2026 Predictions

💼 Money in the Bank is this Saturday night in New Orleans, and WWE has an opportunity to do a hell of a lot more than hand out two briefcases.

They have an opportunity to shake things up.

Alexander the Great and Aiden Haystack break down the final Monday Night RAW before Money in the Bank, including Roman Reigns and LA Knight’s final confrontation, the growing mystery surrounding 946, and a Women’s World Championship picture that could create the perfect opportunity for Roxanne Perez.

⸻

🔓 THE TTW VAULT

We're opening the Vault for TWO Top 5 lists:

💼 Top 5 Men’s Money in the Bank Ladder Matches 💼 Top 5 Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Matches

Then it’s time to predict the entire Money in the Bank 2026 card.

Who grabs the briefcases?

🔥 Is Bron Breakker the favorite?

🃏 Is Roxanne Perez the wildcard who changes everything?

🏆 Does Liv Morgan leave New Orleans as Women’s World Champion?

👑 And after everything surrounding Roman Reigns, LA Knight, Solo Sikoa and 946 — does WWE finally pull the trigger on LA Knight?

⸻

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⸻

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Alexander the Great 𝕏 @Froe87 TikTok @Alexander.the.Great.87

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⸻

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Jaida Parker & 946 Shock RAW

946 said nobody was safe — and by the end of Monday Night RAW, they proved it.

After weeks of waiting for the war between 946 and The Bloodline to finally kick into another gear, RAW delivered one of its best endings of the year as Jaida Parker ran over Jacob Fatu and revealed herself to be aligned with 946.

🎙️ Aiden Haystack has the RAW Fallout this week, as we break down a great night from Milwaukee.

🔥 ALSO INSIDE:

🌙 IYO Sky defeats Lyra Valkyria — thanks to Bayley

💥 Oba Femi challenges Bronson Reed, making their one-on-one match official for Money in the Bank

⚡ Penta & Je’Von Evans take down Judgment Day before Bron Breakker leaves both men laid out

🐉 Dragon Lee upsets Big Cass in a match that may have surprised Alexander more than anybody

🥊 Lola Vice makes her RAW singles debut against Roxanne Perez

🏆 LA Knight sends another message to Roman Reigns ahead of their World Heavyweight Championship match at Money in the Bank

📰 NEWS & RUMORS

🏟️ The latest reporting surrounding WrestleMania 43 and a potential announcement around Crown Jewel

🚑 Jacob Fatu reportedly written off RAW until after Money in the Bank

🤔 Naomi pitched to join The Bloodline against 946, plus a separate report that she is preparing for her WWE return

⸻

🛡️ Turnbuckle Talk Wrestling is sponsored by ZARC International.

Check out the full VEXOR lineup on Amazon or at http://Zarc.com.

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⸻

🎧 Listen to Turnbuckle Talk Wrestling on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon Music.

⭐ Enjoying TTW? Leave us a 5-star rating or review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and help more wrestling fans discover the show.

📱 Follow the hosts:

Alexander the Great 𝕏 @Froe87 TikTok @Alexander.the.Great.87

Aiden Haystack 𝕏 @aiden_haystack TikTok @charleshaycraft

🔥 CM Punk just stole his way into Money in the Bank.

Finn Bálor hit the Coup de Grâce. Gunther took the damage. But before Finn could capitalize, Punk stole the three-count and punched his ticket to the Men’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match.

Meanwhile, Sami Zayn is calling himself “the last real good guy,” Randy Orton is questioning whether Cody Rhodes still has the killer instinct, and two more names are headed to MITB.

🕊️ REMEMBERING PAC & RICK “SIGN GUY” ACHBERGER

We begin with two heartbreaking losses in the wrestling world.

Benjamin Satterley, better known as PAC and formerly Neville in WWE, passed away at 40, less than 24 hours after wrestling his final match at AEW All Out.

Longtime WWE superfan Rick “Sign Guy” Achberger passed away at 54. His red hat, blue shirt and unmistakable signs made him one of the most recognizable fans of the Ruthless Aggression era.

Rest in peace, PAC and Rick.

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💰 PUNK’S FRIDAY NIGHT HEIST

CM Punk, Finn Bálor and Gunther delivered in the main event, with Punk finding a way to steal the victory and qualify for MITB.

😇 SAMI ZAYN: THE LAST REAL GOOD GUY?

Sami claims he personally fought to get Johnny Gargano an opportunity—but did he really go to bat for Johnny, or tell him exactly what he needed to hear to keep him away from the WWE Championship?

🐍 RANDY ORTON PUTS CODY RHODES ON THE SPOT

Randy says Cody Rhodes has peaked if he can’t kick Randy’s head off. Cody responds by declaring himself the “king of unwinnable positions.”

💼 TWO MORE QUALIFY FOR MITB

Lash Legend defeats Charlotte Flair and Giulia, while CM Punk survives Finn Bálor and Gunther.

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🎙️ Also on this episode:

🇺🇸 Trick Williams retains against Baron Corbin inside a steel cage.

💥 Giulia and Blake Monroe explode, setting up their first one-on-one match next week.

👑 Charlotte Flair is still damn good, sparking a conversation about the backlash surrounding her career-long push and championship success.

🐍 Nikki Bella costs Paige, Chelsea Green and Tiffany Stratton their six-woman tag.

😡 Damian Priest destroys R-Truth and makes it clear he should be fighting for championships.

😂 Gunther meets Danhausen. “No cursehausen for Guntherhausen.”

Plus, Alexander and Haystack preview Monday Night RAW, including their growing frustration with Roman Reigns’ absence from his feud with LA Knight.

Explicit language.

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🛡️ Sponsored by ZARC International

Check out the full VEXOR lineup on Amazon or at http://Zarc.com.

Be Prepared. Protect Yourself. Carry VEXOR.

━━━━━━━━━━━━

🎧 Turnbuckle Talk Wrestling

Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon Music.

𝕏 Alexander the Great: @Froe87 🎵 TikTok: @Alexander.the.Great.87

𝕏 Aiden Haystack: @aiden_haystack 🎵 TikTok: @charleshaycraft

🔥 Penta is going to Money in the Bank — but the way he got there was anything but normal.

This week on Turnbuckle Talk Wrestling, Aiden Haystack takes the lead on WWE RAW from San Antonio, where 946 followed through on its promise to “cross the line” by attacking Solo Sikoa, throwing him into the trunk of a car and taking off before The Usos and Jacob Fatu could stop them.

Solo’s abduction opened the door for Penta, who replaced him in the main-event MITB qualifier and defeated Dominik Mysterio and Dragon Lee to punch his ticket to Money in the Bank — just one week after challenging Roman Reigns for the World Heavyweight Championship in Mexico City.

🔥 Also on RAW:

💥 Oba Femi returns and immediately gets involved with Bron Breakker and The Vision

💼 Roxanne Perez qualifies for Money in the Bank against IYO SKY and La Catalina

🏆 LA Knight puts Roman Reigns on notice ahead of their World Heavyweight Championship match at Money in the Bank

👊 Je’Von Evans battles Bron Breakker before The Vision gets involved

👑 Liv Morgan and Becky Lynch both set their sights on Stephanie Vaquer

⚔️ Lyra Valkyria defeats Bayley in another physical chapter of their rivalry

📝 Lola Vice officially signs with Monday Night RAW

🐉 Ethan Page sets his sights on the Intercontinental Championship

📰 NEWS & RUMORS

🇸🇦 Reported concern within WWE over Crown Jewel in Saudi Arabia

💼 Penta is reportedly considered the “heavy favorite” to win the 2026 Men’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match

🐉 The latest on Dragon Lee’s WWE future

📊 BIG CONVERSATION: The 2026 PWI 500 Top 10 is revealed, with MJF at #1, Cody Rhodes at #2 and CM Punk at #3

🎙️ Aiden Haystack has the RAW review this week, with Alexander the Great handling News & Rumors and the rest of the show.

🛡️ TTW is sponsored by ZARC International.

Check out the full VEXOR lineup on Amazon or at http://Zarc.com.

Be Prepared. Protect Yourself. Carry VEXOR.

🎧 Listen to Turnbuckle Talk Wrestling on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon Music.

⭐ If TTW has become part of your weekly wrestling routine, leave us a 5-star rating or review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

📱 FOLLOW TTW

Alexander the Great 𝕏 @Froe87 TikTok @Alexander.the.Great.87

Aiden Haystack 𝕏 @aiden_haystack TikTok @charleshaycraft

🔥 SAMI ZAYN’S “JUSTICE” ERA IS ALREADY CHAOS

One week into Sami Zayn’s second reign as Undisputed WWE Champion, the SmackDown main-event scene is getting more crowded by the minute.

Kevin Owens gets the first shot. Johnny Gargano believes Sami owes him one. Trick Williams and Finn Bálor are already looking toward Money in the Bank. And just when it looked like CM Punk might actually take a rare Friday night off, Punk returned and threw the entire WWE Championship picture into even more chaos.

And somehow, Sami Zayn is still champion.

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🏆 SAMI ZAYN VS. KEVIN OWENS

You could give us KO and Sami a million times and we’ll never get tired of it. But this one came with Gargano, Candice LeRae, CM Punk, a championship belt to the head, and a finish that didn’t exactly go according to plan.

And Alexander has a hot take: Sami Zayn belongs in the conversation with Daniel Bryan when it comes to what he can do inside a wrestling ring.

🎥 IS CODY RHODES CHANGING?

Michael Cole puts Cody on the spot about what happened with Randy Orton, and Cody makes it clear that the next time he finds himself in that position, he won’t make the same decision twice.

Is WWE actually beginning a Cody Rhodes heel turn—or do they just want us to think they are?

💼 MONEY IN THE BANK TAKES SHAPE

Trick Williams and Jacy Jayne punch their tickets to Money in the Bank, while Trick makes it clear that the briefcase might not be the only championship opportunity he has his eyes on.

🔥 SMACKDOWN STAYS RED HOT

Even before Punk showed up, SmackDown delivered another solid episode without needing him on screen. That’s what happens when you stack the main-event scene with enough wrestlers and stories that everything doesn’t have to revolve around one person every week.

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🎙️ Also on this episode:

👀 Jade Cargill continues to be positioned around the main-event scene, but Alexander has some serious questions about both her promos and where her in-ring work is right now.

⚔️ Shinsuke Nakamura and Kyoki collide with Tama Tonga, Talla Tonga and Haku as the issues between Bakusai and the MFTs continue.

😈 Damian Priest explains why he attacked R-Truth—and makes it clear he has absolutely no remorse.

👑 Sami Zayn manipulates Johnny Gargano into helping him against Kevin Owens as the new champion’s version of “Justice for Sami” begins taking shape.

📰 Plus, News & Rumors involving Omos and The Judgment Day, Paige officially joining the SmackDown roster, and the reported story behind the botched Sami Zayn–Kevin Owens finish.

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🛡️ Sponsored by ZARC International

Personal protection starts with being prepared before the moment comes when you actually need it.

Check out the full VEXOR lineup on Amazon or at http://Zarc.com.

Be Prepared. Protect Yourself. Carry VEXOR.

━━━━━━━━━━━━

🎧 Turnbuckle Talk Wrestling

WWE analysis, long-form discussion, wrestling philosophy, and the bigger stories behind what happens on screen.

Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon Music.

𝕏 Follow Alexander the Great at @Froe87

🎵 Follow Alexander the Great on TikTok at @Alexander.the.Great.87

𝕏 Follow Aiden Haystack at @aiden_haystack

🎵 Follow Aiden Haystack on TikTok at @charleshaycraft

Penta vs. Roman Reigns & the Best WWE RAW of the Triple H Era 🔥

WWE rolled into Mexico City and delivered an incredible night of wrestling, capped off by Roman Reigns and Penta going 24 minutes for the World Heavyweight Championship.

Penta proved he belongs in WWE’s main-event picture. Mexico City was ready to see him become World Heavyweight Champion.

And WWE didn't pull the trigger.

Were we surprised Roman retained? No.

Do we think it was the right decision? Absolutely not.

🏆 ROMAN REIGNS vs. PENTA

The best RAW main event of the year. Penta went toe-to-toe with Roman, survived the Spear, hit TWO Mexican Destroyers and had Mexico City believing they were about to witness a championship change.

Roman retained — but did WWE miss the perfect moment to make Penta World Heavyweight Champion?

🔥 ALSO ON THIS EPISODE

🏆 Chad Gable & Dragon Lee tear the house down for the Intercontinental Championship

💼 Lola Vice & Je'Von Evans punch their tickets to Money in the Bank

🥀 Bayley declares that she is the standard for women's wrestling

💥 Judgment Day ruins the party after Stephanie Vaquer & El Grande Americano light up Mexico City

👀 Becky Lynch puts herself in Stephanie Vaquer's championship picture

🔥 Royce Keys & OTM send an ominous “Good luck, Roman” message

📰 NEWS & RUMORS

🏆 Sami Zayn makes his first SmackDown appearance as Undisputed WWE Champion — while Kevin Owens is reportedly being eyed to eventually dethrone him

⚔️ Jim Ross accuses WWE of “spiteful” counterprogramming against AEW

👀 WWE signs Rey Mysterio's daughter Aalyah Gutierrez as part of its newest Performance Center rookie class

📺 Plus, we preview tonight's SmackDown, including Sami Zayn's first appearance as champion and two more Money in the Bank qualifying matches.

🛡️ THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY ZARC INTERNATIONAL

This week, we're highlighting the ZARC Enforcer X3 Self Defense System — a CO₂-powered, .68-caliber less-lethal personal defense launcher designed around Protection at a Distance™.

The Enforcer X3 features semi-automatic operation, uses standard 12-gram CO₂, fires VEXOR projectiles, and offers direct engagement capabilities up to 60 feet.

Check out the full VEXOR lineup on Amazon or at http://Zarc.com.

Be Prepared. Protect Yourself. Carry VEXOR.

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📲 FOLLOW ALEXANDER THE GREAT

𝕏 @Froe87 🎵 TikTok: @Alexander.the.Great.87

Sami Zayn promised justice in Mexico City — and by the end of SmackDown, CM Punk was no longer WWE Champion.

But the bigger story might be what Sami’s win just did to the entire main event scene. After years of complaining that nothing important happens on weekly television, WWE just changed its biggest championship on a Friday night — and suddenly Punk, Kevin Owens, Finn Bálor, Gunther, Johnny Gargano, Randy Orton and Cody Rhodes are all part of a title picture where anything actually feels possible.

🤔 Isn’t this exactly what we’ve been asking for?

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🏆 SAMI ZAYN SHOCKS CM PUNK

Sami becomes a two-time WWE Champion, and Alexander and Haystack break down the match, the chaotic finish, and why having a beatable champion could be exactly what SmackDown’s main event scene needed.

🐍 RANDY ORTON WANTS WORLD TITLE #15

Orton makes his intentions clear: whoever leaves Mexico City with the championship has the Viper coming after them.

🔥 RICKY SAINTS FINALLY SHOWS OUT

Even in defeat against Rey Fénix, Ricky Saints delivers his best showing since arriving in WWE — before showing a much different side of himself later in the night.

💥 DAMIAN PRIEST TURNS ON R-TRUTH

After their shot at the AAA World Tag Team Championships falls short, Priest finally snaps and lays out his own partner.

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🎙️ Also on this episode:

👀 Gargano got next. Sami promised Johnny Gargano the first championship opportunity if he defeated Punk — and now that promise suddenly matters.

🇲🇽 Chelsea Green defends the WWE Women’s Championship against Nia Jax in front of a Mexico City crowd firmly behind the champion.

⚔️ Trick Williams’ celebration gets interrupted by Baron Corbin, while Finn Bálor and Gunther add even more tension to an already crowded championship picture.

📰 Plus, News & Rumors on Jordynne Grace and Ivy Nile potentially being paired together, Stephanie Vaquer’s first RAW appearance as Women’s World Champion, and reports that Ilja Dragunov could be headed to AEW.

Explicit language.

━━━━━━━━━━━━

🛡️ Sponsored by ZARC International

Personal protection starts with being prepared before the moment comes when you actually need it.

Check out the full VEXOR lineup on Amazon or at http://Zarc.com.

Be Prepared. Protect Yourself. Carry VEXOR.

━━━━━━━━━━━━

🎧 Turnbuckle Talk Wrestling

WWE analysis, long-form discussion, wrestling philosophy, and the bigger stories behind what happens on screen.

Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon Music.

𝕏 Follow Alexander the Great at @Froe87

🎵 Follow Alexander the Great on TikTok at @Alexander.the.Great.87

💬 Join the TTW Discord and keep the wrestling conversation going between episodes.

SNME Review, Bayley Returns & Vaquer vs. Morgan Steals RAW on Labor Day

After a stretch of pre-taped WWE programming, RAW was finally live again — and the women’s division made the biggest statement of the night.

Stephanie Vaquer and Liv Morgan finally got the time their WrestleMania 42 match never had, Bayley made her return with Lyra Valkyria directly in her sights, and Monday night suddenly gave us a lot more to talk about.

🤔 But before RAW, Sunday Night’s Main Event once again proved why its simple showcase formula continues to work.

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📺 SNME’S SHOWCASE FORMULA WORKS

On paper, Sunday Night’s Main Event didn’t necessarily look like a show that demanded your attention.

Then the bell rang.

Four matches, four different styles, and another reminder that sometimes WWE doesn’t need to overcomplicate things. Give talented wrestlers time, give the matches stakes, and let them deliver.

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💼 BRON BREAKKER PUNCHES HIS MITB TICKET

After a huge weekend for The Vision, Bron Breakker kept the momentum rolling by defeating Rey Mysterio and Ethan Page to qualify for Money in the Bank.

And with Bron continuing to climb while The Vision becomes increasingly dangerous, WWE appears to be putting some serious weight behind his push.

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🔥 BAYLEY RETURNS — AND THE WOMEN TAKE OVER RAW

Bayley returned during the Women’s Money in the Bank qualifier and immediately went after Lyra Valkyria, while Sol Ruca took advantage and punched her own ticket to Money in the Bank.

Then Stephanie Vaquer and Liv Morgan delivered the WrestleMania rematch we should have gotten the first time around.

Given actual time to work, they delivered one of the strongest matches of Labor Day RAW — and another example of what this women’s division can do when WWE lets the wrestling breathe.

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💥 OBA VS. THE ENTIRE DAMN VISION

Bronson Reed’s return at SNME carried directly into RAW as The Vision continued to overwhelm Oba Femi.

For the second night in a row, Oba found himself staring down the numbers game — and this time The Vision finally started looking like the dominant faction WWE has been telling us they are.

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🔥 Also on this episode:

Royce Keys and OTM torch The Bloodline’s vehicle and send a message that nobody is safe.

Joe Hendry and JD McDonagh continue one of WWE’s strangest ongoing comedy stories.

We break down the latest WWE News & Rumors, including the reported TKO contract restructuring, Johnny Gargano potentially receiving more television time, Jordynne Grace’s uncertain creative direction, and the latest on Bianca Belair.

Plus, we preview SmackDown from Mexico City.

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🛡️ Sponsored by ZARC International

Personal protection starts with being prepared before the moment comes when you actually need it.

Check out the full VEXOR lineup on Amazon or at http://Zarc.com.

Be Prepared. Protect Yourself. Carry VEXOR.

━━━━━━━━━━━━

🎧 Turnbuckle Talk Wrestling

WWE analysis, long-form discussion, wrestling philosophy, and the bigger stories behind what happens on screen.

Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon Music.

𝕏 Follow Alexander the Great at @Froe87

🎵 Follow Alexander the Great on TikTok at @Alexander.the.Great.87

💬 Join the TTW Discord and keep the wrestling conversation going between episodes.

Sami Zayn Finally Snaps as Kevin Owens Refuses to Cross the Line

🔥 BETRAYAL IN TORONTO. SAMI’S JUSTICE.

Sami Zayn spent the entire night demanding justice after feeling like opportunity after opportunity had been taken away from him.

By the end of SmackDown, he decided he was done waiting for anybody else to give it to him.

🤔 When does fighting for what you believe you deserve become an excuse to betray the people closest to you?

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💔 Sami Zayn Snaps

Sami’s frustration finally boiled over after Kevin Owens refused to cheat to become WWE Champion.

Sami took that rejection personally — and Toronto watched him betray Kevin in a moment that completely changed his direction.

🏆 CM Punk vs. Kevin Owens

CM Punk defended the Undisputed WWE Championship against Kevin Owens in Toronto, with Sami’s involvement ultimately becoming the biggest story coming out of the match.

🔥 Cody Rhodes & Randy Orton Face Off

Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton went face-to-face in a heated confrontation as their issues continued to escalate.

👊 The MFTs Defend the Gold

The MFTs put the WWE Tag Team Championships on the line against Damian Priest and R-Truth.

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🎙️ Also on this episode:

💥 Blake Monroe attacks Giulia before their match can even begin.

👊 Lash Legend vs. Tiffany Stratton, with Chelsea Green making the save.

🎭 Shinsuke Nakamura reveals KYOKI as his new partner.

🏆 Trick Williams, Baron Corbin, and Lil Yachty get pulled into a bizarre championship situation.

❤️ Tatum Paxley continues winning over Charlotte Flair.

🔮 And we look at everything WWE set up moving forward.

━━━━━━━━━━━━

🛡️ Sponsored by ZARC International

Personal protection starts with being prepared before the moment comes when you actually need it.

Check out the full VEXOR lineup on Amazon or at http://Zarc.com.

Be Prepared. Protect Yourself. Carry VEXOR.

━━━━━━━━━━━━

🎧 Turnbuckle Talk Wrestling

WWE analysis, long-form discussion, wrestling philosophy, and the bigger stories behind what happens on screen.

Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon Music.

𝕏 Follow Alexander the Great at @Froe87

🎵 Follow Alexander the Great on TikTok at @Alexander.the.Great.87

💬 Join the TTW Discord and keep the wrestling conversation going between episodes.

SOLO SIKOA & LA KNIGHT BECOME THE BIGGEST BABYFACES ON THE ROSTER.

Solo Sikoa and LA Knight came out of the August 17 edition of Monday Night RAW as two of the biggest standouts on the entire show, and we break down why both men connected, where their stories appear to be heading, and what their momentum could mean going forward.

🤔 IS WWE FINALLY HEATING UP???

This week’s RAW had stronger character work, major storyline movement, and one of the best matches the show has delivered all year — but is WWE actually building momentum, or was this just one really strong night?

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🔥 SOLO SIKOA & LA KNIGHT TAKE CENTER STAGE

Solo Sikoa and LA Knight were two of the biggest babyfaces on RAW, and we get into why both men felt important, how their stories developed throughout the night, and where WWE could take them next.

⚡ REY VS. GABLE — RAW’S BEST MATCH OF THE YEAR?

Rey Mysterio and Chad Gable delivered one of the biggest in-ring highlights of the night, and we discuss whether it belongs in the conversation for RAW’s best match of 2026.

💥 BREAKKER VS. OBA — WHO IS THE FUTURE?

Bron Breakker and Oba Femi continue to represent two of WWE’s biggest potential future stars, and we get into who feels like the stronger long-term investment.

🐉 WWE FUMBLES ILJA DRAGUNOV

Ilja Dragunov is gone from WWE after allowing his contract to expire, raising serious questions about how WWE handled one of its most respected in-ring performers.

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🎙️ Also on this episode:

Haystack makes his TTW RAW debut.

The biggest promos, backstage segments, finishes, and storyline developments from throughout the night.

Who gained momentum — and who came out of RAW worse off.

Our favorite and least favorite moments from the show.

The latest WWE news and rumors.

And plenty of uncensored TTW opinions along the way.

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🛡️ Sponsored by ZARC International

Personal protection starts with being prepared before the moment comes when you actually need it.

Check out the full VEXOR lineup on Amazon or at http://Zarc.com.

Be Prepared. Protect Yourself. Carry VEXOR.

━━━━━━━━━━━━

🎧 Turnbuckle Talk Wrestling

WWE analysis, long-form discussion, wrestling philosophy, and the bigger stories behind what happens on screen.

Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon Music.

𝕏 Follow Alexander the Great at @Froe87

🎵 Follow Alexander the Great on TikTok at @Alexander.the.Great.87

💬 Join the TTW Discord and keep the wrestling conversation going between episodes.

Co Host Aiden Haystack's first SmackDown!!! 🔥 🔥 🔥

🔥 Two new champions. Randy Orton loses his mind. And SmackDown somehow leaves some of its most interesting stories on the cutting-room floor.

The August 14 edition of SmackDown from Boston gave us major title changes, a personal CM Punk/Kevin Owens confrontation, Chelsea Green fighting to hold onto her championship, and a chaotic ending that stopped Cody Rhodes vs. Sami Zayn before it could even begin.

🤔 But one of the biggest questions coming out of the show might be about what we didn’t see.

WWE reportedly cut five backstage segments that would have advanced multiple stories across the roster — which raises a pretty simple question: if those stories matter, why aren’t they making television?

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🏆 TWO NEW CHAMPIONS

The MFTs captured the WWE Tag Team Championship, while Jacy Jayne defeated Tiffany Stratton to become the new Women’s United States Champion.

💔 CHELSEA GREEN FIGHTS TO REMAIN CHAMPION

Chelsea makes an emotional plea to hold onto her championship as the uncertainty surrounding her injury continues.

🔥 PUNK & OWENS GET PERSONAL

Ahead of their championship match in Toronto, CM Punk and Kevin Owens turn up the intensity with an increasingly personal confrontation.

🐍 RANDY ORTON ENDS THE NIGHT IN CHAOS

Cody Rhodes vs. Sami Zayn never even gets started after Randy Orton attacks Cody and brings SmackDown to a chaotic close.

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🎙️ Also on this episode:

GUNTHER takes on Matt Cardona.

Baron Corbin defends the United States Championship against Carmelo Hayes.

We break down the five reportedly cut backstage segments involving Giulia and Blake Monroe, The Miz and Kit Wilson, Ricky Saints and Fraxiom, Shinsuke Nakamura, Paige, and Nikki Bella.

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🛡️ Sponsored by ZARC International

Personal protection starts with being prepared before the moment comes when you actually need it.

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🎧 Turnbuckle Talk Wrestling

WWE analysis, long-form discussion, wrestling philosophy, and the bigger stories behind what happens on screen.

Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon Music.

𝕏 Follow Alexander the Great at @Froe87

💬 Join the TTW Discord and keep the wrestling conversation going between episodes.

Solo Sikoa Falls Back Into The Bloodline as Oba Femi & Bron Breakker Battle Over WWE’s Future

🔥 WWE RAW REVIEW

Solo Sikoa finally found himself… and WWE immediately forced him back into The Bloodline.

Jey Uso defeated Solo Sikoa in the main event, meaning Solo now has to report back to Roman Reigns.

But after months of WWE struggling to find the right version of Solo, the crowd is finally connecting with him.

🤔 But here’s the question:

Did WWE just find the character that could make Solo Sikoa a star…

only to risk putting him back into the exact role he finally escaped?

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🎙️ SOLO SIKOA FALLS BACK INTO THE BLOODLINE

Solo Sikoa and Jey Uso collide in a family battle with major consequences.

Jey wins, Solo must fall in line, and now WWE has to prove they can keep this version of Solo alive while bringing him back into Roman Reigns’ orbit.

🎙️ OBa FEMI & BRON BREAKKER BATTLE OVER WWE’S FUTURE

Paul Heyman continues playing the long game as Bron Breakker demands answers about Oba Femi.

Two of WWE’s biggest future stars are beginning to circle each other, and the question is who will prove they truly represent WWE’s next era.

🎙️ THE WOMEN’S DIVISION CONTINUES TO BUILD

Stephanie Vaquer and Becky Lynch stake their claims to the Women’s World Championship picture as WWE adds more star power to the division.

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🔥 Also on this episode:

Penta and Laredo Kid tear the house down to open Roman Reigns’ World Heavyweight Championship tournament.

LA Knight gets a warning from Solo Sikoa.

Danhausen brings his unique brand of chaos to RAW.

Joe Hendry continues leaving fans wondering what WWE has planned.

And RAW MVP, Final Thoughts, and the biggest takeaways heading into SmackDown.

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🛡️ Sponsored by ZARC International

Be prepared for the situations you hope never happen.

Check out the full VEXOR lineup on Amazon or at http://Zarc.com.

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🎧 Turnbuckle Talk Wrestling

Your weekly source for WWE analysis, long-form discussion, wrestling philosophy, and the bigger stories behind what happens on screen.

Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon Music.

𝕏 Follow Alexander the Great at @Froe87 — fro like afro, add the E.

💬 Join the TTW Discord and keep the wrestling conversation going between episodes.

🔥 SmackDown finally gave its biggest post-SummerSlam stories some real heat.

CM Punk and Kevin Owens got personal. Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton finally found the fire that feud should’ve had at WrestleMania. And Chelsea Green’s first SmackDown as champion raised a much bigger question about how WWE presents its women’s world titles.

🤔 But here’s the contradiction:

The stories worked. The wrestling we got mostly worked.

And somehow SmackDown still gave us only three matches in two hours.

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🎙️ CM PUNK VS. KEVIN OWENS GETS PERSONAL

Owens returns after 17 months of uncertainty, immediately confronts Punk, and turns their WWE Championship feud into something much more personal than a simple number-one contender story.

🎙️ CODY RHODES & RANDY ORTON FINALLY FIND THE FIRE

Randy says something snapped inside him after losing to Cody at WrestleMania. Cody fires back with:

“I don’t have to be the damn good guy anymore.”

This already feels more personal than the WrestleMania version ever did.

👑 CHELSEA GREEN’S FIRST SMACKDOWN AS CHAMPION

Five days after SummerSlam, Chelsea gets pinned in a tag match while WWE uses the result to advance the Women’s U.S. Championship picture.

If Chelsea is your world champion — interim bullshit or otherwise — present her like one.

And now her fractured orbital bone makes an already complicated women’s title situation even messier.

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🔥 Also on this episode:

Baron Corbin and Trick Williams have a much better rematch than they did at SummerSlam.

Carmelo Hayes steps into the U.S. Championship picture.

Sami Zayn continues circling CM Punk and the WWE Championship.

Shinsuke Nakamura says he won’t be fighting alone.

And Alexa Bliss brings Tatum Paxley into the mix alongside Charlotte Flair — a direction that could be huge for Tatum’s main-roster future.

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🛡️ Sponsored by ZARC International

Be prepared for the situations you hope never happen.

Check out the full VEXOR lineup on Amazon or at http://Zarc.com.

Be Prepared. Protect Yourself. Carry Vexor.

━━━━━━━━━━━━

🎧 Turnbuckle Talk Wrestling

Your weekly source for WWE analysis, long-form discussion, wrestling philosophy, and the bigger stories behind what happens on screen.

Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon Music.

𝕏 Follow Alexander the Great at @Froe87 — fro like afro, add the E, 87.

💬 Join the TTW Discord and keep the wrestling conversation going between episodes.

SummerSlam should never feel like the end of WWE’s stories—it should launch the next chapter. And after months of inconsistent weekly television, Monday Night RAW finally delivered a show that felt inspired, consequential, and genuinely interested in moving WWE forward.

🎙️ On this episode:

⚡ Oba Femi vs. Bron Breakker? — WWE wastes no time teasing a collision between two of its biggest young stars.

🔥 Women’s Division Reborn — After months of frustration, RAW gives the women’s division a massive shot in the arm and suddenly creates multiple stories worth caring about.

⛓️ Fatu Unleashed — Jacob Fatu reminds everyone exactly what makes him feel different when WWE simply lets him loose.

🔒 Women’s Title Held Hostage — Rhea Ripley has undergone surgery, so why the hell are we still pretending an interim Women’s World Championship makes more sense than vacating the actual title?

🎤 Triple H Says WWE Stars Must “Earn” Their Push — We discuss why that argument gets a lot more complicated when creative controls who gets television time, wins, stories, and opportunities in the first place.

🦅 Brock Lesnar Retires — Brock officially calls it a career after SummerSlam, while The Miz claims his post-match endorsement of Oba Femi wasn't even part of WWE's creative plans.

🇲🇽 Roman Reigns’ Next Challenger? — A new tournament will determine Roman’s World Heavyweight Championship challenger in Mexico City, 🔥 Was This the Best RAW of 2026? — Why this show finally felt like WWE understood that the RAW after SummerSlam should begin the next chapter instead of simply wrapping up the last one.

🎧 Sponsored by ZARC International. Check out the full VEXOR lineup on Amazon or at http://Zarc.com. Be Prepared. Protect Yourself. Carry VEXOR.

📱 Follow Alexander the Great on X: @Froe87

SummerSlam 2026 Fallout

Apologies for the mic issues!

Did SummerSlam quietly become the blueprint for WWE's future?

For the first time in a long time, it felt like WWE trusted its wrestlers to tell complete stories instead of rushing from one big moment to the next. But while Night One embraced that philosophy from top to bottom, did Night Two begin slipping back into old habits?

🎙️ On this episode, we break down the biggest stories from SummerSlam 2026, including CM Punk vs. Cody Rhodes, Roman Reigns vs. Seth Rollins, Oba Femi's career-defining victory over Brock Lesnar, Chad Gable finally completing his redemption story, and why Penta vs. Gable became the perfect example of WWE leaving a great match wanting more time.

🔥 We also discuss why Roman Reigns vs. Seth Rollins is our new WWE Match of the Year, whether WWE finally remembered what made professional wrestling great, and why trusting the wrestling may have been the biggest lesson to come out of SummerSlam weekend.

🎧 Sponsored by ZARC International. Check out the full VEXOR lineup on Amazon or at http://Zarc.com. Be Prepared. Protect Yourself. Carry VEXOR.

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WWE SummerSlam 2026 Predictions, Top 5 Moments & Top 5 Main Events

SummerSlam has always been defined by unforgettable moments. The question heading into this weekend isn't whether the card looks good on paper—it's whether this roster can create something worthy of standing alongside the greatest SummerSlam matches and moments in WWE history.

🏆 TTW Vault

Before making our official SummerSlam predictions, we open The TTW Vault to count down our Top 5 SummerSlam Moments and Top 5 SummerSlam Main Events. From Daniel Bryan's unforgettable victory over John Cena to Brock Lesnar creating Suplex City, The Fiend's unforgettable debut, Shawn Michaels overselling Hulk Hogan, and the greatest SummerSlam main events ever, we debate what truly belongs among WWE's biggest summer classics.

🎯 Predictions

Then it's time to make our official SummerSlam 2026 predictions. We break down every announced match on the card, including CM Punk vs. Cody Rhodes, Roman Reigns vs. Seth Rollins, Brock Lesnar vs. Oba Femi inside Hell in a Cell, Chad Gable vs. Penta, Liv Morgan vs. Iyo Sky, and much more. Along the way, we discuss Cody Rhodes' need for a heel turn, Solo Sikoa's character evolution, Chad Gable's full-circle redemption story, and the biggest bold predictions heading into WWE's biggest weekend of the year.

🎙️ Go-Home SmackDown Preview

Before signing off, we preview tonight's final SmackDown before SummerSlam, including CM Punk and Cody Rhodes' final face-to-face, Giulia vs. Lash Legend for the final ladder match spot, and what surprises could still change the card before the weekend begins.

🎧 Sponsored by ZARC International. Check out the full VEXOR lineup on Amazon or at http://Zarc.com. Be Prepared. Protect Yourself. Carry VEXOR.

📱 Follow Alexander the Great on X: @Froe87

Chapters:

00:00 SummerSlam Has to Deliver

01:05 Why SummerSlam Matters

02:00 TTW Vault: Top 5 SummerSlam Moments

05:05 Honorable Mentions

08:18 #5 Shawn Michaels Oversells Hulk Hogan (2005)

10:54 #4 The Fiend's Debut (2019)

19:01 #3 Brock Lesnar Destroys John Cena (2014)

25:52 #2 Seth Rollins' "Ruse of the Century" (2026)

28:23 #1 Daniel Bryan Defeats John Cena • Randy Orton Cashes In

35:32 TTW Vault: Top 5 SummerSlam Main Events

44:51 SummerSlam 2026 Predictions

01:05:21 Go-Home SmackDown Preview

01:09:00 Outro

RAW Fallout • SummerSlam Momentum Stalls • WarGames Announced

The road to SummerSlam should be driven by compelling stories.

Instead, WWE continues to rely on moments, surprise appearances, and annual gimmick matches to carry the momentum. Monday Night RAW featured good wrestling and a few entertaining segments, but with SummerSlam just around the corner, it felt like the stories themselves took a back seat.

On this week's episode of Turnbuckle Talk Wrestling, we ask a simple question:

Has WWE started prioritizing moments over meaningful storytelling?

On this episode:

• Vince McMahon & Janel Grant lawsuit update
• AJ Lee says WWE finally paid her equally
• John Cena explains the philosophy behind Brock Lesnar squashing him
• Why Survivor Series: WarGames has become a calendar event instead of the culmination of a war
• Full Monday Night RAW review
• Solo Sikoa tries to recruit Seth Rollins
• CM Punk & John Cena's emotional WWE: Unreal moment
• Paul Heyman sells Brock Lesnar vs. Oba Femi inside Hell in a Cell
• Joe Hendry, Danhausen & Judgment Day continue their rivalry
• LA Knight shines once again
• Roman Reigns' absence continues to raise questions
• Why RAW featured ZERO women's matches
• RAW MVP
• Final Thoughts
• SmackDown Preview

This episode is sponsored by ZARC International.

Protect yourself with the VEXOR line of pepper spray and self-defense products.

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Available on Amazon and at http://Zarc.com.

Join the TTW Discord and keep the conversation going long after the episode ends. Whether you agreed with our takes, completely disagreed, or just want to talk wrestling with fellow fans, we'd love to have you in the community.

Follow Alexander the Great on X: @Froe87 (Fro... like afro... add the E... 87.)

Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon Music.

00:00 Cold Open & Episode Preview

01:59 The Story Should Come First

03:52 Vince McMahon & Janel Grant Lawsuit Update

11:48 AJ Lee Finally Gets Equal Pay

19:58 John Cena Explains Brock Lesnar's Squash

40:00 Why WarGames Has Lost Its Meaning

49:55 RAW Opens with High-Octane Tag Action

29:50 Big Cass Returns to WWE

59:50 Danhausen Returns & Judgment Day Chaos

1:02:28 Solo Sikoa Tries Recruiting Seth Rollins

1:07:52 CM Punk & John Cena's Emotional WWE: Unreal Moment

1:11:48 Penta, Chad Gable & the IC Title Picture

1:20:27 Paul Heyman Sells Brock vs. Oba

1:25:29 Joe Hendry, Danhausen & Judgment Day

1:30:44 LA Knight vs. Jacob Fatu

1:34:57 RAW MVP & Final Thoughts

1:40:24 SmackDown Preview & Outro

Smackdown Fallout, Saturday Nght's Main Event Review & SummerSlam Chaos.

🤔 WWE didn't have a bad weekend.

The wrestling delivered, Madison Square Garden felt important, and several SummerSlam stories moved forward.

But SmackDown and Saturday Night's Main Event both had the same problem: WWE kept adding new layers to stories that were already working.

So why does WWE have such a hard time leaving a good thing the fuck alone?

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🎙️ On this episode of Turnbuckle Talk Wrestling...

👑 We break down WWE creating only the second interim championship in company history, why Tiffany Stratton should be focused on establishing the Women's United States Championship, and whether the entire situation surrounding Rhea Ripley creates some very questionable optics.

🔥 Then we head to Madison Square Garden for Saturday Night's Main Event, where CM Punk and Cody Rhodes battle Gunther and Sami Zayn in one of the best television main events of the year. We discuss Nick Aldis finally snapping after weeks of Gunther pushing him too far, why Justice for Sami is absolutely deserved, and how CM Punk has already made Cody Rhodes the most interesting he's been in over a year.

🏀 Plus, Lyra Valkyria's bloody statement against Bayley, Roman Reigns and Jalen Brunson closing the show, and our biggest discussion of the night: why WWE already had the perfect Madison Square Garden story with Danhausen and the New York Knicks... and walked away from it just days before the payoff.

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🛡️ Sponsored by ZARC International.

Check out the full VEXOR lineup on Amazon or at http://Zarc.com.

Be Prepared. Protect Yourself. Carry VEXOR.

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Alexander the Great on X: @Froe87

Credit where credit's due...

After a couple of weeks of wondering where the SummerSlam momentum was, WWE finally delivered a Monday Night RAW that actually felt focused from beginning to end.

This week on Turnbuckle Talk Wrestling, we're breaking down Brock Lesnar and Oba Femi making Hell in a Cell feel personal, Chad Gable earning what should be his first singles championship opportunity, Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins delivering one of the strongest contract signings of the year, and why this was the first RAW in weeks that genuinely felt like it was building toward SummerSlam.

We also catch up on SmackDown, discuss CM Punk and Cody Rhodes officially becoming SummerSlam opponents, Baron Corbin's return, Gunther completely snapping on Nick Aldis, and why WWE may finally have its biggest stories moving in the right direction.

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Also discussed:

• Brock Lesnar vs. Oba Femi continues to heat up

• Roman Reigns COOKS Seth Rollins on the 🎙️

• Chad Gable wins the Intercontinental Championship Gauntlet

• Maxxine Dupri breathes new life into The Vision

• Iyo Sky vs. Roxanne Perez

• LA Knight's future after The Bloodline

• SmackDown preview and Saturday Night's Main Event Predictions

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This episode is sponsored by Zarc International.

Check out the full VEXOR lineup on Amazon or at http://Zarc.com.

Be Prepared. Protect Yourself. Carry VEXOR.

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

Turnbuckle Talk Wrestling is your weekly source for WWE analysis, long-form discussions, wrestling philosophy, and the bigger stories shaping WWE.

Follow Alexander the Great on X: @Froe87

Join the TTW Discord and keep the wrestling conversation going between episodes.

Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon Music.

00:00 Cold Open – "That's More Like It!"

02:06 Intro & SummerSlam Momentum

04:08 SmackDown Catch-Up

14:10 Brock Lesnar, Paul Heyman & Oba Femi

23:45 Iyo Sky vs. Roxanne Perez

31:15 The Vision, Maxxine Dupri & Alpha Academy

39:45 Royce Keys vs. Jimmy Uso

47:05 Bayley & Lyra Valkyria

55:10 Intercontinental Championship Gauntlet Match

01:08:20 Roman Reigns & Seth Rollins Contract Signing

01:33:10 Final Thoughts & RAW Co-MVPs

01:38:20 SmackDown Preview

01:40:30 Saturday Night's Main Event Preview

01:45:30 Outro