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The Miz and Maryse came out for MizTV. They showed the footage of WWE Intercontinental champion Dean Ambrose coming out last week and beating up Miz, ruining his Raw return. Before Miz had a chance to say much, Ambrose again came out. They went back and forth. Ambrose mocked Miz's suit and shoes.
Miz said he is dressed the way he is because he respects what a WWE Superstar is supposed to be. He said he looks and dresses the part. Miz said that he makes WWE look like true superstars and Ambrose makes them look like wrestlers. He mocked Dean and said he should go wear Zubaz and take them back 30 years. He said Dean was the first Draft pick. Ambrose was the WWE champ at Summerslam and wasted his momentum. Miz said six months later, Ambrose was barely a blip on the card.
Ambrose sat there as Miz ranted. Miz said that Ambrose never gets anywhere because he's lazy and complacent. Dean said that he could be wearing Zumbaz and a fanny pack, but it doesn't matter what he's wearing, but "what's in here" as he points at his heart. He mocked Miz for caring about branding. He said he doesn't even know what they means, because he's Dean Ambrose, not a brand. He said he loves what he does and would do it in front 20 people or 20,000. He said that he loves black eyes and spitting his teeth out and fighting and bleeding and sweating. He said that's why he's the IC champ. Dean said Miz should know, since Dean beat him for the belt.
Maryse called him a dirty little street rat. She said having the belt doesn't mean anything. She said the man doesn't make the champion, the championship made the man. Dean began getting ready to fight but Miz was oblivious, cutting a promo that he made the belt mean something while Dean ruined it. Miz said the belt is like Dean, a joke. Miz was attacked. Maryse hit Dean, who turned towards her. Miz tried to grab Dean, who went for Dirty Deeds but Miz scampered out of the ring. Miz and Maryse stood in the aisle as Dean dared him to come back and fight. Just a segment to further the obvious PPV bout that is to come.
Backstage, Braun was dragged Kalisto by his arm. He said that Roman was garbage and now, "so are you." He topped Kalisto into a dumpster. Someone knocked Braun down. It was Big Show. He told Braun to try and pick on someone his own size. I suspect we have a main event.
When they returned from commercial, Show vs. Braun was made official for later tonight.
Cruiserweight division: TJ Perkins vs. Jack Gallagher
They showcased Perkins' new attitude with clips from last week. They announced Cruiserweight champion Neville was "making a special appearance" and he came out, pyro and all, dressed to wrestle and stepped into the ring. He looked down both competitors and left the ring. He sat at ringside.
Before the match could begin, Austin Aries came out. He said he was inviting himself to the viewing party, saying he was making an even "specialer" appearance. He sat next to Neville at ringside. The crowd chanted a bit for Aries.
They finally rang the bell. Neville moved his chair away from Aries. OK, the match is going to be the backdrop for the Aries-Neville deal. Perkins scored a two count but Gallagher rolled through and locked on a side headlock. He used a takedown and scored a two count in the headlock. Perkins and Gallagher went back and forth with some good action with Jack ending up on the floor as they went to commercial.
When they returned to the broadcast, Perkins was working over Gallagher in the ring. Gallagher fired back with a series of uppercuts. He tossed Perkins and nailed a nice slam for a two count. Perkins came off the ropes with a leaping forearm. Gallagher's nose was bleeding. Jack drilled him with a headbutt but knocked himself a little loopy. Gallagher grabbed his umbrella and preened to the crowd. He unfurled it and came off the top with a sit down senton while holding the umbrella open.
Perkins was tossed into the ring but rolled out on the other side. Gallagher followed and they locked up, Gallagher was shoved backwards into Aries, wiping him out. Aries wasn't happy and turned his attention to Perkins but Neville attacked him. The referee was distracted, allowing Perkins to kick the ropes into Gallagher's face and then hit the Devastation Kick for the pin.
Your winner, TJ Perkins!
Perkins is much more comfortable as a heel. The action was fine but this was about adding to the issues between Aries and Neville.
Backstage, Akira Tozawa and Apollo Crews were talking. Tozawa was happy his old friend is now on Raw. Titus O'Neil showed up and congratulated Crews about becoming a father for the first time. He asked Crews what he was going to do to make an impact. He pitched Crews becoming a member of the Titus brand. He gave Crews a pitch and it was pretty awful but Titus did a nice job trying to sell it. He gave Apollo a business card and told him to think about it.
WWE Raw Tag Team champions Matt and Jeff Hardy were interviewed. Matt said they were facing some of the most athletic competitors EVAH faced. I loved how he slipped in a little Broken Matt Hardy. Cesaro and Sheamus showed up and said that since no one has done this yet, they wanted to officially welcome Matt and Jeff back. Sheamus said they were the innovators of TLC and earned everyone's respect, including theirs. They noted Cesaro vs. Jeff Hardy would take place later. Sheamus said it would be an honor the beat the legendary Hardys to win the belts back. Matt said ladders are wonderful, but they don't need ladders to beat them.
Sasha Banks vs. Alexa Bliss vs. Mickie James vs. Nia Jax
The winner will challenge Bayley. Jax used lots of monster spots early. Bliss actually drilled her with a right and tried to run away. Jax grabbed her by the hair but James knocked her out of the ring. They showed Bayley watching in the back.
Mickie and Sasha faced off. This may be the first time they ever faced off. James shoulderblocked Banks. James went to the floor, where Jax went after her. Sasha nailed a dive through the ropes as they went to commercial.
When they returned from commercial, Alexa was working over James in the corner. Nia caught her coming off the ropes and slammed her. She then slammed Sasha atop of her and slammed James atop them. She covered Mickie for a two count. She worked over Mickie and tried to choke her out with a Cobra Clutch variation. James tried to fight her way out but Jax tossed her aside.
Nia tossed Alexa across the ring by her hair. Banks was nailed with a back elbow and trapped inside a bear hug. Sasha fought back with forearms but couldn't break her grip. Sasha tried to cinch in a guillotine choke but was turned into a suplex. James breaks up a pinfall attempt but was grabbed and choked in the air. Jax looked a little hesitant. James was able to maneuver herself into an armbar. Jax was able to pull her up and slammed her down. She turned to Bliss, who was preparing for a missile dropkick but realized Jax saw her coming and thought better of it, going right down the ropes.
Jax missed a charge on Sasha and Mickie, hitting her shoulder on the ringpost. The other three all traded moves and teased finishers. Banks nailed her double knees off the corner on Bliss for a two count but Nia pulled her out of the ring. Bliss knocked James off the apron onto Jax, who crashed to the floor.
Sasha and Bliss faced off. Bliss screamed this was her division now. Sasha nailed the Bank Statement but James broke it up. Mickie and Sasha battled back and forth. Banks was nailed with a Flapjack. They battled to the corner. Jax knocked Mickie off the top to the floor and hit a Samoan Drop on Banks. Bliss jumped in and stole the pinfall.
Your winner, Alexa Bliss!
A very good match. There were a few moments where they were off a beat or too but 90% of this was very good with some great sequences and near falls. They told a really nice story bell to bell and this was a lot of fun.
Backstage, Big Show said he was going to give Braun Strowman a taste of his own medicine, "Giant Style."
Coverage concludes on Page 3!
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