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Welcome to my Backlash blog. The crowd was live as they popped for everything from Michael Cole coming out to ringside to clips of the wrestlers arriving. Yep, Randy Orton is way over.
We are opening with Jacob Fatu defending his US Title against LA Knight, Drew McIntyre and Damian Priest. That should be a burner.
The fans went nuts after the pyro. They have a full building of backed fans. They are showing us the decibels. They hit 110 that I saw for La Knight's music hitting.
Cole is joined by Wade Barrett since Pat McAfee has his hands full later with Gunther.
Drew it out next. Another big pop. Looks like the talent has an easy crowd tonight. Can't beat that.
Priest got a great pop too. I have a feeling Jacob will get a huge one as well.
Yep, they were chanting FATU before his music even hit. The dude is money. I am so glad that the world can finally see him.
The bell rang and the crowd was chanting FATU. I love it.
Knight was on fire early until he teamed up with Priest and then tried to sucker punch him. Drew came in and cleaned house. Then Priest did. This is going to be all action as it usually is in these kinds of bouts.
About five minutes in, the fans wanted tables. These guys are working their asses off people, why do you need tables, especially so soon?
Drew and Jacob faced off. They took a bit to start throwing hands, building tension. Jacob got the upper hand early. As Jacob went to the top the fans chanted that this is awesome. Jacon took too long to get to the top and Drew gouged his eyes. Before he could do anything Knight came back in and attacked Drew.
Jacob just showed why he is an amazing freak of nature. You have to see it to appreciate it.
This is going 100 miles an hour now, great stuff. They are all down, getting ready for what's next.
The first one up was Jacon but Drew got him before he could do anything. He took out Knight and hit a Claymore. Priest broke the count at two. Drew is not happy. Drew had it won. Drew went after him and they brawled over the barricade. Fatu came in and went to work on LA as the crowd chanted his name. He missed the moonsault. LA hit the elbow from the top, then another one. Two count only!
Drew and Priest are fighting on the floor. They are fighting on a big box and Priest did a South Of Heaven from the box through a table on the floor. Those boys are probably done for this one.
Medical just came out They are checking on both men, who are down.
Back at ringside, Knight attacked Fatu. He put him on the announce table. Knight went to the second rope. He was about to do the elbow when Solo showed up and took Jacob off the table. No DQs in a Fatal Four Way. As Knight went after Solo Jeff Cobb came of nowhere and destroyed Knight. I love them putting him Cobb with Solo. Jacob came to and didn't seem to know Solo was bringing Cobb in. He wasn't excited about it. He took a second and then went in and hit the moonsault. After the match Jacob looked at Solo and Cobb like WTF? Clearly this will germinate from here as Jacob didn't want help. The fans love Fatu and they will have to turn him sooner rather than later anyway. Jacob came out of the ring, stared at them and then went to the back by himself. Interesting! Great match to open the show.
We have Smackdown and Night of Champions in Saudi Arabia on June 27 and 28. They had better hope things chill between Pakistan and India by then.
Lyra Valkyria defends the Intercontinental Title against Becky Lynch.
Becky was out first. Decent pop. Good pop for Lyra. The fans like to sing her entrance gimmick.
Becky was in control early and the fans booed her when she talked smack. Lyra came back and put Becky in a Rocking Chair, then a surfboard. She pounded the snot about of Becky for the next few minutes and the fans loved it.
Becky came back when Lyra took too long to get to the top. The fans booed her when she beat on Lyra. That's refreshing after the way the crowds acted at Mania. Thanks St. Louis.
Becky then goaded Lyra's fiance, who was sitting at ringside. Lyra came back for a second but Becky continued the onslaught until Lyra powered Becky down with a nice suplex. Lyra came back and the fans were behind her. They are working pretty stiff, in a good way. Lyra got a two with a powerbomb.
Now there are Let's Go Becky/Let's Go Lyra chants. St. Louis, I take back what I said earlier.
Lyra got a two after a suplex from the second rope. Becky tried to use the rope for the pin but the ref caught her. Now they are trading near falls.
Becky went to the top and Lyra dumped her and then hit a splash to the floor. Back in the ring she hit a leg drop from the top for two. She hesitated and that allowed Becky to kick out. She went for a moonsault but Becky got the knees up.
They are back up, throwing forearms.
Becky locked in an armbar but Lyra reversed and an armbar of her own. Becky got out and got the Disarmer but Lyra rolled her up for two. Lyra got a two out of a botched Manhandle Slam. Becky then hit it but Lyra kicked out at two and Becky is stunned. They have to let Lyra go over here. The fans are chanting that it's awesome. It is.
Becky started throwing hands out of frustration. She went to ringside and grabbed a chair. She brought it in the ring. The ref stopped her so Becky used that to expose the top turnbuckle. Lyra saw it and blocked her from using it. Lyra got a two after a moonsault.
They are both selling like what else do we have to do. Becky got a two on a Manhandle after she threw Lyra in the corner but Lyra ducked the exposed turnbuckle. Becky is getting pissed that she can't get the win. The ref noticed the turnbuckle and was out of position when Lyra hit Nightwing so it was only a two. I hope that isn't how they switch the belt.
Becky went to the eyes and rolled her up. Lyra got out of it and reversed her and scored the pin. Yes! That is how it should have ended. Lyra was a stud in the bout, it was an amazing performance for her.
After the match Becky went crazy and attacked Lyra, locking on the Disarmer. The fans booed her for it. She left but then tried to go back but Jason Jordan stopped her.
Becky put over Lyra in more ways than one. Lyra is super talented and she got to show here against an all timer. They worked really stiff too, which was fitting for the story. Excellent match.
Please click to Page 2 for more thoughts on tonight's show!
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