The 25th anniversary of Triple H’s debut in WWE was celebrated in a night that also saw the SmackDown Women’s Tag Team Championships get put on the line and several men and women add their names to their respective Money in the Bank Ladder Matches.
The New Day celebrates new Tag Team Championships
Last week, Big E defeated Jey Uso and The Miz to begin an eighth title reign to The New Day’s incredible resume. Kofi Kingston and Big E took to the ring to proclaim their greatness.
Kofi demanded respect given to Big E. The two named other successful tag teams in WWE history and even mentioned the number of championships new Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady has under his belt.
Lucha House Party entered atop the ramp to congratulate The New Day and started to issue a challenge until The Miz and John Morrison cut them off. The Forgotten Sons became the fourth team to enter the arena shortly after.
After making a strong introduction, The Forgotten Sons charged the three other teams and beat down The New Day inside the ring.
Drew Gulak vs. King Corbin
Several additional SmackDown superstars were set to be added to the Money in the Bank Ladder Match that will take place on May 10. Gulak and Corbin were the first two to square off.
Corbin sent Gulak out of the ring shortly into the match. The size difference between the two was noticeable and allowed Corbin to have an upper hand for most of the match. Gulak baseball-slid into Corbin, who exited the ring and followed that with a dropkick that sent the former King of the Ring winner over the announcer’s table.
Back in the ring, Gulak held Corbin by his arm and Corbin drove his opponent into a corner to escape. Corbin set up a chokeslam but Gulak countered with a roll-up two-count. Corbin left the ring and Gulak followed by driving his opponent into the steel steps.
Shinsuke Nakamura and Cesaro attacked Daniel Bryan outside the ring. Distracted, Gulak tried to help his friend, which only benefited King Corbin. Corbin hit an End of Days for the win. Corbin hit Gulak with a sceptre post-match.
Sheamus vs. Daniel Vidot
Sheamus has been on an absolute barrage as of late. Vidot began the match by charging the Celtic Warrior, who only took advantage of the overly-hungry challenger.
Sheamus held Vidot in the middle of the ring and delivered punches to Vidot’s chest. Sheamus then hit a Brogue Kick for another quick, dominant victory.
Jeff Hardy career review
Chapter 3: The Redemption was played and recounted Jeff Hardy’s mother’s passing. Hardy’s return to WWE came in 2017 at WrestleMania 33, and the roar of the crowd showed how emotional the moment was for not just Hardy but the fans as well.
John Morrison and The Miz vs. Lucha House Party
Upset because Lucha House Party started the chaos at the beginning of the night, Miz and Morrison looked to exact revenge. Miz and Lince Dorado began the match.
A double-team allowed Morrison to enter the match and build momentum for the former tag team champions. Gran Metalik tagged in and used his high-flying ability to take control of Morrison. Morrison delivered a running knee to Dorado, who had quickly reentered.
Morrison hit a shooting star and attempted a pink on a beaten-down Dorado. A springboard stunner from Dorado allowed Lucha House Party to gain their own momentum. The Miz attempted a Skull Crushing Finale and saw himself countered and rolled up by Metalik, who earned the win for his team.
Sasha Banks vs. Lacey Evans
One of Evans and Banks would qualify for the Women’s MITB Ladder Match following a victory. SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley accompanied Banks to the ring.
Evans charged a supportive Bayley when the bell rang. The action quickly left the ring and Evans drove Banks into a barricade and turned back to Bayley. Banks knocked down Evans and the two reentered the ring.
Banks held Evans against a turnbuckle, but Evans escaped and used her legs to take an advantage over Banks. Evans exited the ring to drive Banks’ head into the ring post several times. Climbing atop the turnbuckle, the two traded momentum and Banks slammed Evans to the mat for a two-count.
Evans rolled out of a submission only to be knocked back down by Banks. Evans delivered a huge Woman’s Right to Banks and attempted a pin that was broken up by Bayley.
Bayley continued to be a distraction. Banks told Bayley to stay out of her match, and Evans took advantage by hitting another Woman’s Right to earn the victory. Tamina entered atop the ramp and drop kicked Bayley ahead of their match at MITB.
The History of Braun Strowman and Bray Wyatt
The rising feud between two former friends was detailed with a video package. Wyatt thanked Sister Abigail for giving him the Black Sheep, Braun Strowman.
Strowman’s strength and dominance was featured followed by him mentioning he is trying to forget his past with Wyatt. The Universal Champion said he does not owe Wyatt anything.
Wyatt told Strowman he turned his back on his own creator. The two will compete for the Universal Championship at MITB.
Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville saga
Deville slandered Rose last week by calling her selfish and eventually attacking her former friend. Otis vs. Dolph Ziggler and Mandy Rose vs. Carmella was announced for next week on SmackDown with the two winners advancing to their respective MITB Ladder Matches.
Dana Brooke and Carmella vs. Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross (t) (Women’s Tag Team Championship match)
After earning the SmackDown Women’s Tag Team titles at WrestleMania several weeks ago, Bliss and Cross put them on the line against challengers Brooke and Carmella. Brooke and Carmella are also vying for spots in the MITB Ladder Match in their own singles matches.
Cross and Brooke began the match, and Cross found herself outside the ring quickly. Carmella jumped from atop the apron onto Bliss.
Returning to the ring, Carmella moonwalked into Bliss, who leaned on a turnbuckle. Carmella brought kicks to Cross, but Bliss and Cross executed a double-team slam in order to retain their championships.
Triple H 25th Anniversary celebration
On the date the Hall of Famer debuted 25 years ago, Triple H appeared live on SmackDown on FOX. Appearing in an all-black suit-like outfit, Triple H wore a cerebral attire.
The Game started by saying it was hard for him to believe it has been 25 years, and no sooner could he continue as his best friend Shawn Michaels made his way to the ring.
The two members of Degeneration X side-hugged in the ring and the Heartbreak Kid reminded his friend of social distancing. Michaels said he invited hundreds of friends to the celebration, and the two acknowledged the empty arena.
Michaels asked Triple H what his favorite moment of his friend’s 25-year anniversary was, but Michaels said he never had a celebration after all. The “Not So Great” moments of DX were played in a video package.
Michaels then noted Triple H’s 14 championship reigns. The Game’s WrestleMania moments were presented in a video package, and a list of his 13 losses at The Show of Shows was the main idea.
Michaels began to talk about Triple H’s one hiccup: meeting Stephanie McMahon.
McMahon then FaceTimed her husband in the ring, and she was upset at Michaels talking badly about her. Ric Flair then FaceTimed The Game and would make a second, more emotional call.
Road Dogg also made a call during the celebration. Vince McMahon was the next in-person guest to appear in the celebration. McMahon recounted a few of Triple H’s stories before talking about DX.
As McMahon walked out, he told Triple H to wrap it up. The lights in the arena dimmed and went out, and The Game’s anniversary celebration closed with a legitimate sound of chirping crickets.
