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Welcome to my King/Queen of the Ring blog.
On the pregame show, Jade Cargill and Bianca Belair defeated Candice LeRae and Indi Hartwell to retain their Tag Team Titles in a good, solid (albeit predictable) match.
After Michael Cole welcomed us to the show, we got a huge fireworks display to start the evening. We are sold out. The crowd is fired up.
We are opening with Becky Lynch defending her Women's Title against Liv Morgan. On the pregame show, Dom Mysterio showed up and let Liv know that he would do whatever it takes to keep her from winning Mami's Title. Given how Dom's interference often backfires, that may mean we will get a new champion.
The champ is out first. She made the most of the "keep your body covered because, well, because" rule of Saudi Arabia by coming out in an outfit that kind of looked like a tuxedo.
Cole tossed to the Arabic announcers. They are fired up.
Mike Rome is your ring announcer.
The crowd is definitely behind Becky.
It was back and forth early on, with Liv then getting a bit of an advantage. Liv did a good job of cutting off a lot of what Becky was going for, selling that she scouted her.
As it went on, Liv got a near fall with a Codebreaker. As it went on, some fans definitely got behind Liv, even doing dueling chants.
Becky got a near fall and then went to the top, but missed. Liv hit a dropkick and got a two. Liv missed Oblivion and Becky got a two count. The fans are chanting that it's awesome.
Morgan hit a big boot to the head, two count only.
They are selling that doubt is creeping in for Liv.
Becky locked in the armbar but Liv reversed and got Rings of Saturn, which Corey called it. Wow. Becky got out and latched on The Disarmer. Dom showed up and Becky saw him and let go of the move. Dummy.
Why would let go of a finisher Becky? Dom meant nothing. But, it allowed Liv to get a Codebreaker and get a two.
Liv went to the top but Becky met her there and hit a SuperPlex. Dom threw a chair in the ring. Dom got the ref's attention but Liv hit a DDT on the chair on Becky. She kicked the chair out and hit Oblivion, 1-2-3, new champion. As I said earlier, Dom's interference usually backfires and it did again today.
It makes perfect sense to put the Title on Liv so Rhea can come back and go after the woman that hurt her, but Becky came off like a dope by letting go of the move when Liv had no way to get out of it. It's not like Dom had helped her and she didn't want to win that way. She was about to win on her own. I didn't love that aspect at all.
But overall, the match was really good. I am glad that they didn't give Liv the belt in the Battle Royal. It means more for her to beat Becky for it. I expect she will hold it until Mami returns.
Sami Zayn defends his IC Title against Bronson Reed and Chad Gable next. Big E had a great line on the pregame show basically saying Gable is angry now because he was burdened with being Shorty G. Take that Vince!
Gable is out first with Otis and Maxine. He sent Maxine to the back and took Otis to the ring with him. The crowd is chanting that he sucks. Gable told Otis to stick to the plan. Do what he told him to do when the time is right. Otis nodded in agreement.
Reed came out to not a whole lot either way. Then they showed a video of Sami being in Saudi. His music played, HUGE POP. The crowd is big time into Sami. No way they can let him lose. Reed is in control early. Gable took a stiff shot to the knee.
Sami came back and soared over the top rope to the floor, wiping out both men. This crowd is totally in love with Sami. He hit a Sunset Flip Powerbomb on Reed for two. But then he tried for Blue Thunder and couldn't get it done. Reed did a superplex on both men. It's all action. Reed went for a moonsault but Sami moved. Gable then did a moonsault on Reed, but Sami broke it up.
Tons is happening. Great spot when Gable had the ankle lock on Reed but Sami put an ankle lock on Gable! Sami then got a two with a Blue Thunder Powerbomb on Reed. Impressive.
Reed came back and did a double Samoan Drop. Then Reed did a tope to both guys on the floor. The fans chanted HOLY SHIT, and rightfully so. This is great.
Sami charged but Gable caught him and hit two Germans. Sami then nailed two on Gable. Reed came up from behind but Gable slipped to the back and suplexed both men! Cool stuff. This is great.
Gable told Otis now is the time. Otis took out Reed on the floor. Gable tossed Sami to the floor and told Otis to do it to him too. Otis balked. Gable told Otis to hit Sami but Otis wouldn't do it. Gable yelled at him and pushed Otis. He slapped him and told him to wake up. Gable lifted up Sami and ran in with the clothesline but Sami ducked and Otis WASTED Gable. Sami went back in the ring and nailed Reed with a Helluva Kick to win the match. Great stuff. The crowd got all that they wanted with this one.
The question is, did Otis do it to Gable on purpose?
Please click to Page 2 for more thoughts from today's show!
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