WWE Payback Results
September 2, 2023
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (PPG Paints Arena)
Commentary: Michael Cole and Corey Graves
Results by: Mike Tedesco of Wrestleview.com
“Then. Now. Forever. Together.” The WWE video leads us into the show.
A video opens up the Payback premium live event showcasing all the matches we’ll see on tonight’s broadcast.
We go live into the PPG Paints Arena to see a big pyrotechnics display. We will kick the night off with a Steel Cage match between Becky Lynch and Trish Stratus.
Video Package: Steel Cage Match
NXT Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton is at ringside to watch this match. She doesn’t believe there is enough competition in NXT.
Steel Cage Match
Becky Lynch vs. Trish Stratus
The bell rings, and this long-awaited grudge match begins. The WWE Hall of Famer smirks at “The Man” from across the ring. They cautiously approach one another before Stratus makes a break for the door. Lynch pulls her back and goes for a Manhandle Slam, but Stratus elbows her away and goes to climb the walls. Lynch pulls her down, so Stratus slaps her. Lynch is irate and bounces Stratus’ head off all four corners of the ring. Lynch is fired up and talking trash. Stratus goes for a kick, but Lynch blocks it and hits a Bexploder. Lynch grabs her and hits a second Bexploder. Lynch pulls the Hall of Famer up and hits a third Bexploder. After blocking a throw into the cage wall, Lynch goes for a Manhandle Slam. Stratus counters it and pulls her down by the hair. Stratus starts to climb the cage, but Lynch meets her on the top rope. Lynch knocks her down to the canvas, but Stratus pulls her down and onto the turnbuckle. Stratus then sends her headfirst into the wall of the cage. Stratus poses for the crowd.
Stratus sends her headfirst into the cage again and stretches her on the ropes, pulling back on the hair to inflict more pain. Stratus mashes Lynch’s face into the fencing and tells the camera to get a closeup. Lynch fights back and hits the ropes, but Stratus counters with a spinebuster for a two-count. Stratus runs for the door, but Lynch pulls her back and rolls her up for a two-count. Stratus quickly throws Lynch down and takes a moment before covering for a two-count. Stratus grabs The Man and sends her into the cage headfirst. Stratus then stretches her against the ropes and fishhooks the mouth. Stratus then rubs Lynch’s forehead on the fence. The referee checks on Lynch. Stratus throws Lynch’s face onto the canvas twice and saunters around the ring, laughing. Lynch pulls herself up, so Stratus grabs her, but Lynch sends her into the cage wall. Lynch throws her into the wall a second time before lifting her and ramrodding the Hall of Famer into the wall three times for a near fall. Lynch goes for a Dis-Arm-Her, but Stratus fights it. Stratus sends her into the cage once again. Stratus does her Matrix bend under a clothesline, but Lynch pauses and drops a leg on her as Stratus is stretched.
Both women are down but slowly get to their feet and exchange punches. Lynch kicks her in the midsection and sends Stratus headfirst into the cage wall. Lynch goes between the ropes, and they are both closed in against the cage wall. They go back and forth, bouncing each other off the wall before Lynch goes wild and bounces Stratus off the wall at least a dozen times. Lynch kicks her before laying her out over the top rope. Lynch comes off the top rope with a diving leg drop for a near fall.
Lynch attacks her with kicks and starts to climb, but Stratus pulls her feet out from under her. Stratus goes for the Stratusphere, but Lynch holds the ropes. Stratus sits up, and they start exchanging blows. Stratus climbs over Lynch and to the top of the cage. Stratus knocks her down to the canvas, but Lynch pops up and pulls her down. Stratus fights her, but Lynch pulls her down and hits a powerbomb for a near fall. Stratus has a big lump on her forehead.
The crowd chants, “This is awesome.” Lynch goes for a Manhandle Slam, but Stratus elbows out and sends her into the cage. Stratus kicks her in the midsection, hits the Widow’s Peak, made famous by WWE legend Victoria, and picks up a near fall. That welt on Stratus’ head is turning black and blue. Stratus furiously bounces Lynch’s face off the mat and sets up for Stratusfaction, but Lynch fights out and hits Lita’s Twist of Fate for a near fall! Lynch sets Stratus up and goes to the top rope. Lynch jumps, but Stratus moves. Lynch may have tweaked her knee. Stratus then hits Stratusfaction for a near fall. Stratus cannot believe it.
Stratus is furious and kicks away at Lynch. Stratus starts to climb the cage, but Lynch pops up and grabs her ankle. Stratus nearly goes over the top, but Lynch pulls her down to the top rope. Lynch stands on the top rope and sets up for a Manhandle Slam, but Stratus elbows out. Stratus then hits Stratusfaction off the top rope for a near fall. Stratus’ forehead looks really rough.
Stratus begins to climb the cage wall, but Lynch quickly scales the cage. They are both sitting on the top rope. They exchange blows atop the cage before Stratus knocks her over to the canvas. Stratus is entirely over the cage, but Lynch just barely makes it up there and pulls her back. Stratus’ legs are trapped in the trellis of the cage. Lynch knocks her back, and Stratus hangs upside down above the ringside area! Lynch manages to pull her back and turns her around on top of the cage. Standing on the top rope, Lynch hits Stratus with a superplex back into the ring! Lynch takes a moment to recover before putting an arm on Stratus for a near fall.
The crowd chants, “This is awesome” again. Lynch pulls herself up and starts to climb the cage. Lynch puts a leg over the top. Stratus begins crawling to the door, so Lynch climbs down and grabs her ankles when she realizes Stratus will beat her out of the cage. Zoey Stark appears from out of nowhere and grabs Stratus to try to pull her out. Lynch rips Stratus away from her, so Stark slams the door into Lynch’s face. Stratus rolls Lynch up for a near fall. Lynch ducks a Chick Kick and hits a Manhandle Slam, but Stark breaks up the pin. Lynch closes the door and traps Stark in there. Stark knocks Lynch down and tells Stratus to climb. Lynch hits Stark with a Manhandle Slam and climbs the cage to grab Stratus down. Lynch hits a Manhandle Slam on the WWE Hall of Famer off the top rope and covers her. The Man is victorious inside the Steel Cage!
Winner by Pinfall: Becky Lynch
An emotional Becky Lynch goes up the ramp and signs an autograph for a fan. Lynch puts an arm up in victory and walks off.
In the ring, Zoey Stark helps Trish Stratus up, but Stratus pulls away. Stratus is not happy with her protege. Stark grabs her, but Lynch swings (and misses) on a slap. Stratus goes to kick her out of the ring, but Stark shuts the door instead. Stark threatens Stratus and hits a Z-360 on her mentor! Stark rips off her “Thank you, Trish” shirt and throws it on her. Stark then walks off.
Video Package: Shinsuke Nakamura threatens Seth “Freakin” Rollins
WWE Legend John Cena, the host of the WWE Payback event, makes his entrance to a massive reaction. Cena gets in the ring, and the ring announcer announces him as “the greatest of all time.” Cena welcomes Pittsburgh to Payback and puts over the first match. In 20 years, he’s done a lot of things. He’s been the first match, the last match, the champ, the challenger, a guest, a fan, a doctor, and a Prototype, but he’s never been a host. Cena wasn’t going to pass up being here tonight. His job as a host is to make tonight special. There’s no better way to make the night special than to be the Special Guest Referee for a match he’s had his eye on for a while: LA Knight versus The Miz!
The Miz makes his way to the ring. Miz is not happy. He would expect this from LA Knight, but not John Cena. Miz says Cena is pandering to the audience. They may say Cena is the greatest of all time, but Miz thinks he sucks as a host. Cena says this is his first time as a host, while Miz has a lot of experience. Does Miz have any advice? Miz tells him not to make himself a Special Guest Referee in his match. Cena says that was his one idea. Anything else? Miz says if he’s asked to be a merman in “Barbie,” he should say no. Cena says he doesn’t like Miz, but he respects him. Miz says he’s the greatest WrestleMania host of all time. Miz got involved and had two matches. Also, Miz wore a $10,000 suit to WrestleMania. Cena is nearly 50 and dresses like a Telletubby. Cena says he needs to take control… like being the Special Guest Referee for Miz’s match!
The crowd roars loudly, but Miz raises a hand to signal that their mouths should go shut. Miz says Cena doesn’t even have a referee shirt, but someone immediately hands one to Cena. Cena makes himself the Special Guest Referee. Miz says, “No,” and Cena says, “YEAH.”
LA Knight makes his entrance to a massive reaction.
The Miz vs. LA Knight
Special Guest Referee: John Cena
A LOUD “LA Knight” chant fires up. Wow! The Miz gets on the apron to protest, but the crowd chants, “Tiny balls.” Miz takes his time getting into the ring, and Cena calls for the bell to start the match.
Miz immediately rolls out of the ring. Knight opens the ropes to let Miz back in. Miz waves off the match and starts to head to the back. Knight chases him and punches Miz into the ring. Knight takes him down and punches away at him. Miz quickly elbows him back, and they begin to exchange punches. Knight comes out on top, sending Miz into the ropes for a back elbow. Knight hits a suplex and puts Miz on the top rope. Miz fights a superplex and gives Knight a front suplex off the middle rope. Miz then comes off the top rope with a diving ax handle. Miz puts Knight against the ropes and chops the chest. Knight reverses a whip and hits a scoop powerslam. Knight mounts Miz and punches away at him. Miz gets out of a suplex and tries for a Skull Crushing Finale. Knight fights out and goes for the BFT, but Miz gets out of the ring. Knight quickly takes him out with a baseball slide. Knight bounces Miz off the steps before bouncing him off the commentary table many times. Knight gets in the ring to break referee Cena’s count and goes back outside. Miz then pulls Knight face-first into the commentary table.
Miz mocks the “YEAH” and bounces Knight off the barricade a few times. Miz gets in the ring and taunts John Cena. Miz goes outside and charges, but Knight hits a back body drop into the timekeeper’s area. Knight sends him over the barricade and leaps off the barricade with a diving clothesline. Knight gets Miz in the ring, and Miz attacks him, kicking him down in the corner. Miz chokes Knight with his boot until Cena rips him away. Cena didn’t want to disqualify Miz. Knight pops out of the corner and clotheslines Miz down. Knight stomps away at Miz and chokes him with his boot. Cena pulls Knight away, but Knight sidesteps him. Knight chokes Miz again, so Cena rips him away. Knight and Cena go face-to-face! Knight says he’ll put Cena down any day. Miz attacks Knight from behind and stomps him.
Miz chokes Knight on the middle rope until Cena admonishes him. Knight goes to the second rope, but Miz sweeps the feet and hits a lung-blower for a two-count. Miz applies a chin lock to the Megastar. Knight fights out, but Miz quickly drops him on the apron. Miz then pulls him down on the apron and mocks Knight. Miz gets Knight back into the ring and starts up the IT Kicks. Knight fights back and hits a back suplex bomb. Knight slowly gets to his feet and punches away at Miz before knocking him down. Knight sends him to the corner and hits a neckbreaker. Knight goes to the middle rope and hits a diving bulldog. Knight hits the ropes and hits a running kick to the side of the head for a near fall. Knight stomps away at Miz in the corner and connects with a running knee to the face.
Knight lifts Miz, but Miz slides off and goes for a Skull Crushing Finale. Knight fights out and goes for a sunset flip, but Miz gets out. Miz hits a DDT into a kneeling DDT for a near fall. Miz taunts the crowd and signals for the end. Knight slides out of a Skull Crushing Finale and rolls him up. John Cena counts 1… 2… Miz kicks out. Knight avoids Miz’s patented corner clothesline and hits a twisting DDT for a near fall. Miz kicks Knight away and hits a jawbreaker. Knight lifts him, but Miz rolls him up and grabs the rope. Cena notices and kicks Miz’s hand away. Miz gets in Cena’s face. Cena tells him never to take the low road. Knight goes for the BFT, but Miz gets out of it. Miz ducks, and Knight nearly hits Cena. Miz hits Knight with a Skull Crushing Finale for a near fall! Miz cannot believe it.
Miz sets up for a 5 Knuckle Shuffle to mock Cena. Knight kips up and hits a powerslam. Knight hits an elbow drop with theatrics, followed by Blunt Force Trauma for the win!
Winner by Pinfall: LA Knight
LA Knight celebrates and meets John Cena on the ramp. Cena has a Lex Luger moment where his referee’s shirt is too tight. Cena does get it off. Cena and Knight go face-to-face. Cena extends his hand and says it is a show of respect. Knight shakes hands with the WWE Legend. Cena walks off, and Knight continues to celebrate.
Members of the Pittsburgh Steelers of the NFL are at ringside with a Steelers-branded WWE Title, part of WWE’s licensing partnership with the NFL.
Video Package: United States Championship
Rey Mysterio comes out with the LWO and hugs them before going forward without them. Mysterio is wearing a vest he wore when he was teaming with his son, Dominik Mysterio. Dominik’s face is x-ed out on the vest.
United States Championship
Austin Theory vs. Rey Mysterio (c)
Cinnamon Toast Crunch sponsors this match.
The bell rings, and Theory quickly powers Mysterio to the corner and shoulders him. Theory sends him into the ropes, but Mysterio drops and kicks him in the head. Theory sends him to the corner, but Mysterio turns him around and starts the 10 punches. Mysterio goes to slingshot over him, but Theory catches him. Theory pulls him into the ropes and hits a clothesline. Theory takes Mysterio down near the corner and hits a slingshot stomp. Theory follows up with a fisherman’s suplex for a two-count. Theory hits another fisherman’s suplex and mocks Eddie Guerrero. Theory takes it to Mysterio and puts him in a headlock before whipping him around and slamming him down for a two-count. Theory applies a rear chin lock. Mysterio fights up and elbows him. Theory shoves Mysterio into the middle rope and chokes him on it. Theory punches Mysterio back and whips him hard sternum-first into the turnbuckles. Theory puts Mysterio on the top rope and punches him. Theory tries to rip the luchador mask off Mysterio, but Mysterio fights him off with some elbows. Mysterio then takes him out with a moonsault block.
Mysterio takes it to Knight and hits a head-scissor takeover out of the ring. Mysterio then slides under the bottom rope and hits a tornado DDT on the floor! Mysterio puts Theory in the ring and hits a seated senton off the top rope for a two-count. Theory tries to fight back, but Mysterio twists him into position for a 619. Mysterio goes for a 619, but Theory avoids it. Mysterio tries to springboard off the middle turnbuckle, but Theory catches him in a torture rack and spins him into a bomb for a two-count.
Theory signals for the end. Mysterio avoids A-Town Down and hits a step-up enzuigiri. Theory knocks him back and hits a rolling thunder dropkick. Mysterio pops up and hits a dropkick as well. They both slowly get up and exchange blows. Mysterio soon hits a head-scissor into position and hits a 619! Mysterio goes for a slingshot splash, but Theory gets the knees up. Theory sets up for A-Town Down, but Mysterio counters into a victory roll for the win!
Winner by Pinfall and still United States Champion: Rey Mysterio
Rey Mysterio celebrates with the LWO on the stage. Theory is irate in the ring.
Cathy Kelley is backstage with Becky Lynch. What’s next for The Man? NXT Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton immediately interrupts and says they got off on the wrong foot. When she said she’d be a better NXT Women’s Champion than anyone in history, she said Lynch was a former NXT Women’s Champion when she wasn’t. Stratton is here to offer a disingenuous apology. Lynch tells her to worry about her title defense on Tuesday.
Video Package: Steel City Street Fight
Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship
Steel City Street Fight
Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn (c’s) vs. The Judgment Day (Finn Bálor and Damian Priest)
The bell rings, and a brawl breaks out. Kevin Owens and Damian Priest fight to ringside and then up the ramp. Sami Zayn focuses on Finn Bálor at ringside. Owens knocks Priest back and bounces him off the metal barricade. Zayn bounces Bálor and puts him in the ring. Zayn then throws three steel chairs into the ring. Bálor exited the ring during this and cracks him in the head with a kendo stick. Bálor gets a few kendo sticks out from under the ring. Bálor pulls out a bucket with a Terrible Towel in it. Bálor swings it around before stomping it. Owens clotheslines Bálor at ringside. Owens takes it to Bálor until Priest joins in to help. Bálor and Priest double-team Owens until Zayn takes them out with a somersault senton!
The Tag Champions each grab a garbage can. They hit Priest with it a bit. Owens gets in the ring with Bálor and rips his shirt off to reveal a picture of the late, great wrestling legend Terry Funk. They put a garbage can over Bálor’s head and hit it with kendo sticks! Owens and Zayn celebrate in the ring. Owens and Zayn get on the apron and get the crowd fired up. They then pull a table out from under the ring to a huge ovation and set it up at ringside. They go after Priest, but Priest fights the champions off. Priest wrecks the garbage can on Zayn’s back and throws it at Owens. Owens fights back, but Priest cuts him off. Bálor comes around the corner and hits Zayn in the midsection with a steel chair.
Bálor and Priest get Owens in the ring and hit him in the midsection a few times with steel chairs. Priest holds Owens up, and Bálor hits him in the head with a garbage can. Zayn runs in to help, but Bálor and Priest easily take him down. Bálor stands on the second rope and taunts the crowd. Bálor stomps Zayn out of the ring. Bálor elbows Zayn in the head. Priest throws a lot of chairs into the ring and makes an island of chairs in the ring. Bálor attacks Zayn against the commentary table. In the ring, Owens attacks Priest and beats him down. Bálor runs in and hits Owens with the chair. Zayn hits Bálor with the chair and smashes it on his back to knock him out of the ring.
Priest and Bálor climb over the barricade and walk into the crowd. Owens and Zayn go after them and bounces them off some crates. Suddenly, NXT North American Champion “Dirty” Dominik Mysterio blindsides the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions! The Judgment Day stands tall and taunts the crowd. Bálor and Priest discuss strategy before turning and seeing Zayn and Owens wearing Pittsburgh Penguins jerseys. They are wearing Sidney Crosby and Mario Lemieux jerseys. Owens is bleeding profusely from his forehead. Owens and Zayn take out Bálor and Priest with hockey sticks and beat Mysterio to the back.
A crimson mask is the best way for Owens to pay tribute to Terry Funk. Referees quickly grab him and start to clean him up. Zayn goes to slam Bálor on the chair island in the ring, but Priest runs in. Owens remerges and pulls Priest down before sending him into the steel steps. Zayn then hits Bálor with a Blue Thunder Bomb onto the chairs for a near fall!
The crowd chants, “This is awesome.” Owens and Zayn set up four chairs seat-to-seat. Priest attacks them and gives Zayn a Broken Arrow onto the chairs! Owens absorbs some attacks and challenges them to give him more. They send Owens over the commentary table and smash his face with a garbage can. They then clothesline him into the crowd. They beat Owens through the crowd. Owens starts to fight back, but he’s overwhelmed. Zayn appears and helps out his partner. They fight over to the Kickoff Show set. Bálor knees Owens in the midsection, but Zayn soon bounces him off the desk. Zayn stands on the desk and hits a somersault senton onto Priest and Bálor on the concrete!
Dominik Mysterio returns and attacks the Tag Champions. Owens attacks Mysterio and sends him headfirst into a crate. Owens clears off a production table and sends Mysterio into a metal divider. Owens lays Mysterio on the production table and climbs up to the top of a stairwell! Looking over the entrance, Owens hits (and nearly overshoots) Mysterio with a Swanton Bomb through the table on the concrete covered by a thin carpet! Unreal!
Back in the ring are Zayn and Bálor. Zayn hits an exploder into the turnbuckles. Zayn sets up for a Helluva Kick, but Priest throws a garbage can into his face. Bálor covers for a near fall. Bálor and Priest talk strategy. Priest pulls his straps down and sets up for a Crucifix Bomb. Zayn slides off and knocks Bálor off the top rope. Zayn knocks Priest back and hits an exploder into the corner. Zayn knocks Bálor off the apron through the table at ringside! Zayn gets fired up and charges, but Priest grabs him by the throat. Priest lets go as Owens gets in the ring. Owens hits Priest with a Stunner! Zayn follows up with a Helluva Kick and covers, but JD McDonagh pulls Zayn out of the ring!
Owens furiously turns McDonagh inside out with a clothesline and hits a spinebuster onto the commentary table, which doesn’t break! Owens hobbles around ringside. All of a sudden, Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley spears Owens through the barricade! Wow!
Zayn and Bálor slowly crawl back into the ring. Bálor hits Zayn with a Sling Blade and follows up with a Woo Dropkick into the corner. Bálor heads to the top rope for a Coup de Grâce, but Zayn moves! Zayn this an exploder into the corner and rips his t-shirt off. Zayn hits Bálor with a Helluva Kick and covers, but Mysterio hits Zayn in the head with the Money in the Bank briefcase! Zayn falls over, and Bálor puts an arm on Zayn to pick up the win! We have new Tag Team Champions!
Winners by Pinfall and new Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions: Finn Bálor and Damian Priest
The Judgment Day celebrates big time. Every one of them now has gold and a Money in the Bank briefcase! The Judgment Day stands tall on the ramp as fireworks go off. Damian Priest shouts, “The Judgment Day runs WWE!” Dominik Mysterio says, “And don’t you forget it!”
Video Package: Cody Rhodes hype video
“The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes appears on “The Grayson Waller Effect”
The Grayson Waller Effect is set up in the ring. Grayson Waller welcomes the crowd to what could possibly be the greatest Grayson Waller Effect of all time. It’s fitting that this is happening in this city. His guest and the city of Pittsburgh have something in common. They both have low reading scores. Waller then introduces “The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes to the ring.
“Wrestling has more than one royal family…”
“The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes comes out to a huge reaction. Rhodes says, “So, Pittsburgh…” Waller cuts him off and says no one cares about what Pittsburgh wants to talk about. All that matters is what Grayson Waller wants to talk about. Waller wants to ask Rhodes about his big announcement. Rhodes’s year has had so many ups and downs. Waller appreciates Rhodes begging to be on his show for the Grayson Waller rub. Big things are in store for Rhodes, and Waller calls him, “Kid.”
Rhodes says Waller is a recent graduate from Hip Toss Class. Waller has probably studied some of the great WWE talk shows. Rhodes says they could brawl, knock over the furniture, and hit him with a Cross Rhodes… is that what the people want? The crowd goes crazy. Rhodes says no more subversion. Rhodes wanted to be on this show and will give him a big scoop. Rhodes asks Waller if he watches Raw and NXT, and Waller says he does. Does Waller watch SmackDown? Waller says he’s the biggest star on the show, so he watches his stuff. Rhodes says SmackDown is intriguing. There was a wrong that needed to be righted. Rhodes cashed in every political chip he had to make this happen. The newest member of the Monday Night Raw roster is “Main Event” Jey Uso!
Jey Uso makes his return to WWE to a big ovation. Jey Uso gets in the ring and poses for the crowd. Waller sarcastically welcomes him back and says he’s been gone for two weeks. Rhodes has left the ring and is standing at the top of the ramp. Waller asks how Jey feels about being on Raw. Waller says he’s been a twin his whole life and has been surrounded by the Bloodline. An “Ucey” chant picks up. Waller says as an individual, Jey has achieved absolutely nothing. Rhodes saying nice things about Jey won’t make him a big deal. If anyone needs the Grayson Waller rub… Jey Uso superkicks him down and knocks over one of the plants! Rhodes watches from the stage and looks satisfied. Jey stands on the middle rope, and the entire arena is following his arm waving! Wow!
Video Package: Women’s World Championship
Women’s World Championship
Raquel Rodriguez vs. Rhea Ripley (c)
The bell rings, and they lock up. They tussle around the ring, and Ripley turns her in the corner. Ripley is wearing an outfit that pays tribute to Chyna. They give a rough break, so Ripley shoves her. Rodriguez shoves her back. Ripley hooks a side headlock. Rodriguez tries to whip her off, but Ripley holds on. Rodriguez lifts her, but Ripley fights it. Rodriguez absorbs a shoulder tackle and brushes the champion off. Ripley talks a little trash. Rodriguez hits the ropes and hits a shoulder tackle, but Ripley absorbs and shakes it off. They get in each other’s faces. Ripley pulls on the hair, so Rodriguez lifts her. Ripley slides off, but Rodriguez soon shoulder tackles her. Ripley immediately rolls out of the ring to recover and stop the momentum.
Rodriguez reaches over and grabs Ripley by the hair. Ripley knocks her back and charges the ring, but Rodriguez shoulder tackles her again. Rodriguez attacks her in the corner. Ripley fights back and tries for a whip, but Rodriguez puts the brakes on. Ripley clubs her with some clotheslines, but Rodriguez doesn’t go down. Rodriguez takes her down and hits a scoop slam. Ripley soon gets to her feet and grabs a handful of hair while tripping her. Ripley hits a vicious dropkick to the face before mounting her and punching her. Ripley is bleeding from the nose.
Ripley chokes her on the turnbuckles and talks trash about Liv Morgan. Ripley kicks Rodriguez and clubs the back before posing. Ripley jumps on the back and slaps the back of her head. Rodriguez tries to fight back, but Ripley grounds her for a one-count. Ripley hits a snapmare and kicks her in the spine. Ripley applies a grounded abdominal stretch. The Irradicator stretches her until Rodriguez fights up. Ripley quickly knees her in the face a few times before applying a front face lock. Rodriguez powers out and throws Ripley across the ring.
Rodriguez goes after Ripley, but Ripley (sort of) kicks the rope into her neck. A light “Let’s go, Mami,” chant picks up. Rodriguez fights back, but Ripley floors her with a dropkick. Ripley viciously attacks Rodriguez on the mat. Ripley continues to talk trash until Rodriguez grabs her by the throat and hits a pair of clotheslines. Ripley ducks a few strikes, but Rodriguez soon hits her with a club to the back of the head. Rodriguez hits a fallaway slam and avalanches her in the corner. Rodriguez climbs the ropes, but Ripley sweeps the feet. Ripley ties the legs on the turnbuckles and climbs the ropes, but Rodriguez kicks Ripley’s feet out. Ripley is hanging over the top rope. Rodriguez powers her in with a delayed vertical suplex. Rodriguez hits a slingshot spinning corkscrew elbow drop for a two-count.
Rodriguez sets up for a Tejana Bomb, but Ripley gets out. Ripley wildly takes her down and hits a vicious running knee for a two-count. Ripley cannot believe it. Ripley sets up for a Riptide, but Rodriguez gets out and slams her on her face. Rodriguez goes for an alley-oop into the ropes, but it is clunky because she barely gets her up. Rodriguez clotheslines her down for a near fall. Rodriguez powers Ripley to the corner and shoulders her. Rodriguez puts her on the top rope, but Ripley head-butts her down. Ripley chop blocks Rodriguez’s bad knee. Ripley then applies a Prism Lock. Rodriguez twists out and rolls her up for a two-count. Ripley charges, but she hits the ring post shoulder-first instead. Rodriguez powerslams Ripley down, but she can’t follow up because her knee is too hurt.
Both women are down. They slowly get up and exchange blows. Rodriguez gets the better of her and knocks Ripley out of the ring. Rodriguez heads to ringside, but Ripley chop blocks the knee. Rodriguez fights back and gets Ripley in a powerbomb position. Rodriguez smashes her spine into the ring post before whipping her into the barricade. Rodriguez gets in the ring to break the count. Rodriguez then lawn-darts Ripley’s shoulder into the ring post.
NXT North American Champion “Dirty” Dominik Mysterio comes to ringside and gets in the ring. Rodriguez grabs Mysterio and hits him with a running powerslam. Ripley quickly kicks Rodriguez in the bad knee and then kicks her in the head. Ripley hits the Riptide for the win.
Winner by Pinfall and still Women’s World Champion: Rhea Ripley
A nervous John Cena is wearing a bad gray coat and a pink bowtie. As the host, he’s giving himself jobs he’s never had. Now he’s an interviewer. He’s Lance from Southpaw Championship Wrestling. Cena introduces the new Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions Finn Bálor and Damian Priest. Bálor says, “The champs are here!” Cena says they weren’t on the same page recently, but now they’re champions. Priest says families fight, but they’re the Judgment Day and they’re ruling the world. Cena says this is tougher than it looks and throws it back to the commentary team.
WWE Fastlane is coming on Saturday, October 7.
Video Package: World Heavyweight Championship
World Heavyweight Champion Seth “Freakin” Rollins makes his way to the ring. The crowd loudly sings his song for a while, and he takes a bow.
Shinsuke Nakamura has a comic book-themed video play talking about how Rollins was once a great warrior and now will be put down.
World Heavyweight Championship
Seth “Freakin” Rollins (c) vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
WWE Hall of Famer The Great Muta is at ringside for this match!
They circle the ring and cautiously approach each other. The crowd is LOUD for this match, and they haven’t even touched yet. They soon lock up, and Rollins goes for a waistlock. Nakamura turns it, but Rollins twists out and applies a hammerlock. Nakamura fights it and twists out with a cartwheel. Nakamura hits a headlock takeover, but Rollins quickly pops out. They’re at a stalemate.
They circle the ring again and go for a test of strength. Rollins goes for a drop-toe-hold, but Nakamura falls back rather than forward. Rollins applies a side headlock. Nakamura fights up and backs him into the ropes. Nakamura psychotically rubs the injured back and smacks it. Nakamura backs up and says, “COME ON!” Rollins charges, so Nakamura goes for a German Suplex. Rollins gets away, but Nakamura kicks him in the broken back. Nakamura sends Rollins to the ropes, but Rollins forearms him. Rollins punches and kicks him to the corner. Nakamura reverses a whip to the corner, but Rollins slingshots over him. Rollins hits the ropes and takes Nakamura down. Nakamura rolls out of the ring to recover, so Rollins wipes him out with a suicide dive. Rollins gets Nakamura in the ring and goes for a Pedigree, but Nakamura hits a back body drop. Nakamura kicks him in the back a few times. Nakamura puts his foot on Rollins and hits the Good Vibrations. Nakamura lays him on the top rope and goes for a running knee strike, but Rollins moves. Rollins grabs Nakamura and jumps over the top rope to whiplash him on the ropes. Rollins hits a springboard senton splash. Rollins goes for a springboard moonsault, but he lands on his feet when Nakamura moves. Nakamura gets out of the ring, but Rollins quickly takes him out with a suicide dive.
Rollins talks trash to Nakamura at ringside and bounces him off the commentary table. Rollins climbs the barricade for a Stomp, but Nakamura gets up and flips him onto the commentary table! The table doesn’t break. Nakamura turns Rollins inside out with a whip into the barricade. Nakamura gets him in the ring for a one-count. Nakamura stretches Rollins on the ropes before laying him on the top rope. Nakamura hits a running knee strike. Rollins turns over, and Nakamura hits a running knee strike to the spine for a two-count. Nakamura kicks Rollins in the midsection and jumps on the back. Nakamura applies a modified camel clutch. Rollins fights out, so Nakamura kicks him in the spine. Nakamura peppers him with kicks to the head before pulling him down for a nasty backbreaker for a two-count. Nakamura pulls Rollins over the apron and hits a running knee strike to the head. Nakamura then jumps off the apron with a knee to the spine. Nakamura puts Rollins in the ring for another near fall. Nakamura continues to attack Rollins and applies a single-leg crab. Rollins fights back, but Nakamura cuts him off. Nakamura goes to the top rope, but Rollins chops the chest. Rollins sets up for a superplex but then hesitates as he remembers his broken back. Rollins calls an audible and hits a frankensteiner.
Rollins and Nakamura exchange stiff forearms in the middle of the ring. Rollins clotheslines him and kicks him a few times. Rollins connects with a Sling Blade before grabbing his lower back. Rollins heads to the top rope and hits a beautiful frog splash for a near fall. Rollins takes a few moments to recover and attacks Nakamura’s spine. Nakamura gets out of a powerbomb when Rollins’ back gives out, but Rollins fights back with a short-arm clothesline for a near fall.
Rollins says he knows his back is messed up. It’s not far from his mind. His wife worries. Nakamura doesn’t need to make her worry more. Rollins slaps Nakamura in the head a few times. Nakamura avoids a Stomp and goes for a Sleeper. Rollins elbows out of it, but Nakamura boots him back. Nakamura comes off the second rope with a flying knee to the chest for a near fall. Nakamura is becoming increasingly frustrated. Nakamura connects with a scoop slam. Nakamura connects with a snap suplex. Rollins gets out of another suplex, but Nakamura gets him on the ropes and kicks him in the spine before hitting a sliding German Suplex for a near fall. Nakamura connects with an inverted exploder suplex. Nakamura sizes Rollins up. Nakamura goes for a Kinshasa, but Rollins counters with a superkick for a near fall.
Rollins pulls Nakamura up and lays in a forearm. Rollins goes for a discus forearm, but Nakamura hits a beautiful takedown and puts Rollins in a triangle choke. Rollins tries to power him up, but his back is too hurt. Rollins is fading away. Rollins gets one more breath and powers him up for a sit-out powerbomb for a near fall. After taking a few moments to recover, they get to their feet and exchange blows. Rollins rocks Nakamura with a discus forearm and goes for a clothesline to the back of the neck, but Nakamura avoids it and hits a snap kick to the head. Rollins then wipes him out with a step-up enzuigiri.
Both men are down once again. Rollins slowly pulls himself up in the corner and drags himself to the top rope. Nakamura quickly sweeps the feet. Nakamura climbs to the middle rope and hits a LANDSLIDE off the ropes for a near fall! Wow! Rollins screams in pain and holds his back. Nakamura hits Rollins with a Kinshasa to the back of the neck. Nakamura sets up for one more, but Rollins is barely moving. Nakamura checks on him, so Rollins defiantly slaps him in the face twice. Nakamura lays in some kicks and knees. Nakamura knocks him to the apron. Nakamura goes for a suplex into the ring, but Rollins gets out of it. Rollins then drops him with a Pedigree. Rollins’s back is too hurt to follow up. Rollins gets to his feet and tries for a Stomp. Nakamura kicks him in the face. Rollins gets out of a roll-up and hits Nakamura with a Stomp! 1… 2… 3!
Winner by Pinfall and still World Heavyweight Champion: Seth “Freakin” Rollins
Rollins, clearly in a lot of pain, cannot muster the energy to celebrate his win. Nakamura angrily paces at ringside.