October 6, 2018
Melbourne, Australia – Melbourne Cricket Ground
Commentary: Michael Cole, Corey Graves, and Renee Young.
Results via Adam Martin of Wrestleview.com
Quick Match Results
- SmackDown Tag Team Championship match – The New Day (c) defeated The Bar via pinfall (9:41)
- SmackDown Women’s Championship match – Charlotte Flair defeated Becky Lynch (c) via disqualification (10:35)
- John Cena & Bobby Lashley defeated Kevin Owens & Elias via pinfall (10:03)
- The IIconics defeated Asuka & Naomi via pinfall (5:41)
- WWE Championship No Countout, No Disqualification match – AJ Styles defeated Samoa Joe via submission (23:43)
- Ronda Rousey & The Bella Twins defeated The Riott Squad via submission (9:59)
- Cruiserweight Championship match – Buddy Murphy defeated Cedric Alexander (c) via pinfall (10:35)
- The Shield defeated Braun Strowman, Dolph Ziggler & Drew McIntyre via pinfall (19:37)
- WWE Championship #1 Contender’s match – Daniel Bryan defeated The Miz via pinfall (2:22)
- No Disqualifications match – Triple H defeated The Undertaker via pinfall (27:35)
SmackDown Tag Team Championship
The New Day (c) vs. The Bar
Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods will represent New Day.
We begin with Kofi and Cesaro. Kofi with a quick elbow, tag to Woods and then drops a splash over Cesaro. Woods with an elbow off the corner and Kofi tags himself in. Kofi with a splash over Cesaro and Woods launches off Kofi splashing Cesaro. Kofi with a springboard splash over Cesaro for repeated two counts. The Bar takes out Kofi and Woods on the outside. Sheamus with the tag and he works over the left arm of Kofi. Sheamus with chest shots to Kofi against the ropes and hits a double suplex on Cesaro who gets the tag. Sheamus with the tag knocking Woods off the corner, tags Cesaro back in who hits a running uppercut on Kofi and a double backbreaker from The Bar for a two count. Sheamus with a shot to Kofi from the ring apron with the referee distracted. Woods and Sheamus now in. Woods plants Sheamus face first for a two count. Sheamus catches Woods with a quick backbreaker. Woods avoids a Brogue Kick. Cesaro has the tag and catches Woods with an uppercut when Woods is launched at him. Cesaro Swing time on Woods. Cesaro has the Sharpshooter locked in. Kofi kicks Cesaro in the face to break it up. Kofi dumps Sheamus over the top rope with him. Woods with a small package for two. Kofi hits Trouble in Paradise to Sheamus on the floor. Kofi has the tag, kicks Cesaro in the face, Woods with a backstabber and Kofi off the top rope with a stomp. Kofi gets the pinfall.
Winners: The New Day via Pinfall to retain the SmackDown Tag Team Championship
SmackDown Women’s Championship
Becky Lynch (c) vs. Charlotte Flair
We get ring introductions for the challenger Charlotte Flair and champion Becky Lynch. A very loud and positive reaction for Becky tonight in Australia.
Becky and Charlotte exchange shots early as the bell rings. Becky tosses Charlotte into the steel ring post at ringside after dragging her outside. Back inside, Becky chokes Charlotte over the second rope using her knee for pressure. Charlotte with chops. Becky with a counter and gets the armbar applied early. Charlotte breaks free and drops Becky with a quick back suplex. More chops from Charlotte. Charlotte counters an overhead suplex from Becky and connects with one of her own. Charlotte catches Becky with a big boot for a two count. More nearfalls with Becky getting a close two count on Charlotte. Crowd cheering offense from Becky and booing offense from Charlotte. Charlotte catches Becky with quick spear. Charlotte goes for a moonsault off the top rope, but Becky gets her knees up on the way down. Becky with a kick to the head of Charlotte. Becky misses a leg drop off the top turnbuckle. Charlotte with a Boston Crab applied on Becky. Becky gets to the bottom rope to break it up. Becky rolls out, grabs her championship and tries to leave. Charlotte cuts her off spearing her against the barricade. Back inside, Charlotte catches Becky with another spear. Charlotte gets the Figure Four applied. Charlotte is starting to bridge into the Figure Eight. Becky reaches back, grabs the championship and hits Charlotte with it to break it up. The referee immediately calls for the bell.
Winner: Charlotte Flair via Disqualification
After the match, Becky Lynch grabs the Smackdown Women’s Championship and starts to leave when Charlotte cuts her off. Becky then catches Charlotte with a shot and connects with an exploder on Charlotte to the floor at the ringside area. Becky goes to leave, but runs back and catches Charlotte with a big knee.
John Cena & Bobby Lashley vs. Kevin Owens & Elias
After a break, we return live to see Elias and Kevin Owens sitting in the ring. Elias talks about performing all over the globe and introduces his tag team partner tonight: Kevin Owens. Owens refers to them as “two great guys” and how they are forced to perform in a “cesspool of a city.” Owens adds, “I told them Super Show-Down should have been in Canada!” Elias tries to keep talking and is immediately interrupted.
Bobby Lashley heads to the ring next. Huge reaction for John Cena tonight in Australia. We start with Bobby Lashley and Kevin Owens tonight. Owens immediately tags out to Elias. Lashley works over the left arm of Elias right away. Elias with chops. Weird moment where Lashley jumps as Elias came off the ropes and just fell. Elias catches Lashley with a boot in the corner, but Lashley catches Elias with a snap powerslam. Tag to Owens who throws some powerful forearms over the back of Lashley. Lashley plants Owens face first after Elias jumped in trying to get involved. Elias knocks Cena off the corner. Owens with a superkick that drops Lashley. Cole questions the referee allowing Elias to get involved. Tag back to Elias who gets in some corner kicks to Lashley. Elias plants Lashley and drops a quick elbow. Tag to Owens who works over Lashley in the corner. Cena wants a tag and Owens cuts off Lashley. Owens plants Lashley with a big DDT. Tag to Elias who drops Lashley with a backbreaker. Lashley now fighting off Owens and Elias. Lashley tried to spear Elias, but Elias side steps and Lashley hits the floor with a nasty thud. Back inside, Owens connects with a frog splash off the top rope on Lashley for a two count. Lashley plants Owens in the middle of the ring. Hot tag to John Cena and tag to Elias. Cena with his running shoulder tackles and twisting planting powerbomb. Cena connects with Five Knuckle Shuffle on Elias, goes for the AA and connects on Elias. Cena crosses his arms and gets ready for the Sixth Move of Doom. Elias is back up. Cena catches Elias with a shot to the throat, drops down and gets the pinfall!
Winner: John Cena & Bobby Lashley via Pinfall
After the match, John Cena grabs a mic. Cena wasn’t sure what to expect coming back tonight. He wants to say thank you. “WWE is my home and will always be my home.” Cena understands his life is changing, but he never forgets where he came from. He isn’t sure what the future holds and he focuses on the now. Cena says right now he’s standing in front of 70,000 people making some noise. He thanks the fans for allowing him to come to Australia and get a chance to perform at this event tonight.
Asuka & Naomi vs. The IIconics
We start with Peyton Royce and Naomi to start things off. Peyton launches Naomi face first to the corner and quickly tags in Billie Kay. Naomi with a shot and tag to Asuka. Asuka trips up Billie with a sweep and Naomi follows it up with a dropkick to the face. Asuka leaps over Billie and mocks her backing up. Peyton gets the tag. Naomi jumps in. Peyton and Billie do a pose, but eat two dropkicks and then get launched off the ring apron by Asuka and Naomi. Peyton holds onto the foot of Asuka to setup a kick by Billie. Peyton with big right hands to Asuka. Peyton with a spin kick to Asuka as Billie gets the tag. Asuka with a roll up on Billie for a two count. Asuka catches Billie with a release german suplex. Tag to Peyton and Naomi. Naomi catches Peyton with a big kick, sends Peyton face first into the corner and Naomi connects with her split leg moonsault. Billie breaks up the pinfall. Asuka with a dropkick off the top rope that catches Billie. Naomi catches Peyton on the outside with a leap. Billie drops Naomi face first off the apron holding on to her leg. Billie sends Asuka into the barricade on the outside. Billie props Naomi up in the air. Peyton runs forward and catches Naomi with a big knee. The IIconics pick up the pinfall.
Winner: The IIconics via Pinfall
WWE Championship – No Countout, No DQ
AJ Styles (c) vs. Samoa Joe
Samoa Joe walks out first, turns around and waits for AJ Styles to walk out. Styles and Joe stare each other down in the long entrance area.
Styles sprints and runs at Joe. Styles and Joe immediately begin brawling. Michael Cole says the referee has to get them in the ring to make this official. Styles with shots to Joe on the outside, rolls him inside, Styles is in and the referee signals for the bell.
The bell rings and here we go. Joe with jabs to Styles. On the outside, Joe pushes Styles sending him launching over the announce table. Styles immediately fights back as they brawl back inside the ring. Styles with chops to Joe. Joe with a huge chop that echos inside the MCG. Corey Graves said that sounded like fireworks going off in the building. Joe catches Styles with a big knee sending him out of the ring. Joe catches Styles with a big suicide dive to the outside. Joe with a snap suplex on Styles to the floor. Back inside, Joe catches Styles with a big elbow. Joe with a catapult sending Styles’ throat into the bottom rope with force. Styles with a series of strikes to Joe dropping him to a knee. Styles catches Joe with a flying forearm after hitting the ropes for speed. Styles catches Joe with an inverted DDT from the corner for a close two count. Joe catches Styles with a big clothesline. Styles with a kick to the head of Joe. Joe with a snap powerslam on Styles. Styles appears to have a busted lip with some blood in his mouth. Joe counters another inverted DDT attempt and plants Styles with a modified vertical suplex into an inverted DDT of his own. Joe leaves the ring and grabs a steel chair. Back inside, Styles catches Joe with a dropkick to the chair into the face of Joe! Styles grabs the chair and cracks it over the back of Joe. Styles sets up the chair near the corner. Styles leaps off the chair, but Joe catches Styles and then plants him over the steel chair! Joe pulls a table out from under the ring. Back inside, Joe cracks the steel chair over the back of Styles. Joe sets the table up near the corner. Joe has Styles up on the top rope. Styles slips down, has Joe on his shoulders and drops Joe back through the table! Joe immediately grabs his left knee. Styles is up as the referee backs him off to check on Joe’s knee. Joe says, “It popped. I’m fine. Leave me alone.” Styles grabs the referee and slowly backs him off. Joe is trying to crawl back to get away from Styles. Styles is stomping the bad knee of Joe. Styles continues to work over the knee. Styles goes for a Calf Crusher, but Joe gets his rear naked choke applied. Styles breaks free sliding under the bottom rope and then kicks Joe in the face. Styles with a springboard 450 Splash over the bad knee of Joe! Joe counters another springboard by Styles and gets the rear naked choke applied. Joe with an overhead release suplex for a two count. Styles avoids a Muscle Buster when Joe’s knee gives out. Styles with a roll up, but Joe gets the rear naked choke applied. Styles breaks free and gets the Calf Crusher locked in. Joe is reaching for the ropes. Joe taps.
Winner: AJ Styles via Submission to retain the WWE Championship
Ronda Rousey & The Bella Twins vs. The Riott Squad
We kick things off with Ruby Riott and Nikki Bella. Nikki with a shoulder tackle to Ruby. Nikki plants Ruby with a quick spinebuster. Tag to Brie Bella. Ruby drives Brie down face first quickly. Tag to Liv Morgan who immediately kicks Brie in the head. Brie grabs the tongue of Liv. Tag to Nikki as The Bella’s hit a double suplex on Liv bouncing her off the top rope. Sarah Logan tags herself in after Liv kicks Nikki. Logan with a running knee. Logan throws more knees at Nikki and tags in Morgan. Liv with kicks to Nikki in the corner. Tag to Logan who stomps over Nikki and tags Ruby in. Morgan mocking Ronda in the corner connecting with a sitdown dropkick to Nikki. Nikki with an elbow to Ruby off the ring apron. Liv with a cheap shot to Ronda. Hot tag to Ronda. Ronda with a clothesline to Morgan and judo tosses. Ronda with a judo toss to Liv and then plants Ruby down off her shoulders. Ronda fires up with punches to Logan in the corner. Ronda dumps Logan to the mat off her shoulders. The Bella’s fight off Ruby and Liv. Liv sends Brie face first into the post at ringside. Nikki with a kick and tosses Ruby into the barricade. Back inside the ring, Liv breaks up an armbar attempt by Ronda. Ronda tosses both Logan and Morgan, grabs both arms and applies a double armbar. Liv and Sarah immediately tap out.
Winner: Ronda Rousey & The Bella Twins via Submission
WWE Cruiserweight Championship
Cedric Alexander (c) vs. Buddy Murphy
Big reaction for Buddy Murphy in his hometown of Melbourne.
The bell rings and Murphy extends his hand. When Alexander goes to shake his hand, Murphy pulls back and the crowd cheers. Murphy with a huge knee early. Murphy tries to go up top, but Alexander rolls out of the ring. Murphy then hits the ropes and connects with Alexander to the outside. Murphy tosses Alexander back inside and comes off the top rope with double knees. Alexander kicks out. Murphy with big kicks to the back. Alexander catches Murphy with a kick to the face. Alexander plants Murphy with a huge Michinoku Driver from the top rope for a close two count after Murphy jumped up top. Alexander catches Murphy with a leap over the top rope. Alexander catches Murphy with a kick after bouncing off the ropes. Loud “BUDDY” chant starts up. In the corner, Murphy slides down, superkicks Alexander in the face and drops Alexander down in a sitdown powerbomb for a close two count. Alexander responds with a step up kick to the head. Murphy with a big knee. Alexander connects with his Lumbar Check. Murphy kicks out! Alexander can’t believe it. Murphy tosses Alexander to the floor, but Alexander hangs on. Murphy catches Alexander with a knee when he jumps off the top rope. Murphy connects with a Pumhandle Driver on Alexander. Murphy gets the pinfall to become the new champion!
Winner: Buddy Murphy via Pinfall to become the new Cruiserweight champion
The Shield vs. Braun Strowman, Dolph Ziggler, & Drew McIntyre
The Shield surround the ring staring down Strowman, Ziggler and McIntyre. A huge brawl breaks out. The Shield is all going after Strowman tossing him out of the ring. Ambrose is clearing off the announce table at ringside. The Shield is trying to setup a powerbomb on Strowman, but Ziggler and McIntyre get involved to break it up.
Inside the ring, the bell rings and Ziggler gets a near pinfall on Rollins. McIntyre gets the tag and stomps away at Rollins. Tag to Strowman who splashes Rollins. Tag to Ziggler who drops Rollins with a snapmare and jumping elbow combo. Tag to McIntyre who kicks and throws right hands to Rollins in the corner. McIntyre stomps over the hand of Rollins. Tag to Ziggler who drops Rollins with a right hand. Ziggler jumps on the back of Rollins applying a sleeper. Rollins plants Ziggler with a back suplex to break it up. Tag to McIntyre who eats a Sling Blade from Rollins immediately. Tag to Strowman who takes out Ambrose and Reigns and connects with a shoulder tackle on Rollins! Strowman throws Rollins to the corner and connects with a spear/splash combo. Tag to Ziggler who yells at Rollins to do something. Rollins with a Buckle Bomb after countering a Fameasser. Tag to McIntyre who attempts a powerbomb, but Rollins hits a huricanrana. Tag to Strowman who levels Rollins. Strowman is going up to the top rope. Strowman jumps and Rollins rolls out of the way. Tag to Ambrose and tag to Ziggler. Ambrose with a fallaway slam on Ziggler. Ambrose with a shot to McIntyre, avoids a Zig Zag, Ziggler avoids Dirty Deeds, Ambrose takes the back of Ziggler, hooks his arms and drives him down face first. Ambrose and Ziggler are both down after connecting with double cross body attempts. Tag to McIntyre who takes a neckbreaker from Ambrose. Tag to Reigns. Reigns with a big boot to McIntyre. Reigns with corner clothesline to McIntyre. Reigns clotheslines McIntyre over the top rope. Drive By to McIntyre. Reigns plants McIntyre with a DDT. McIntyre with a boot to Reigns. Reigns accidentally takes out Ambrose with a Superman. McIntyre with a roll up. Reigns powers out, powers McIntyre up and down in a sitdown powerbomb. Rollins with a springboard clothesline to Ziggler. Strowman chokes Reigns and has Rollins up. Strowman hits the post and falls out. McIntyre has Rollins dangling over his back. Superman to McIntyre. McIntyre kicks out. Strowman, Ziggler and McIntyre are surrounding Reigns and Rollins. Ambrose is now back up against the ropes. Ambrose dropkicks Strowman to the outside and then connects with a suicide dive. The Shield is going after McIntyre. Ambrose gets the tag. Shield Bomb setup on McIntyre, but Strowman takes everyone out! Strowman tosses Reigns and Rollins out. Strowman with a shot to Reigns and Rollins on the outside. Ziggler with a Zig Zag on Ambrose. Ambrose kicks out. Strowman is about to spear Ambrose into the steel steps when Reigns hits a spear to Strowman crashing through the barricade! Superkick to Ambrose on the outside. Back inside, Rollins prevents a Claymore. Superkick to Rollins by Ziggler. Ambrose with Dirty Deeds on Ziggler for the pinfall.
Winner: The Shield via Pinfall
WWE Championship #1 Contender’s
Daniel Bryan vs. The Miz
Backstage, we see WWE Champion AJ Styles watching the match.
The Miz tries to address AJ Styles before the match and Daniel Bryan interrupts.
The bell rings and Miz immediately throws knees to the ribs of Bryan in the corner. Bryan catches Miz with a big kick to the head when he charges in. Bryan with Yes Kicks to the chest of Miz. Miz ducks for the kick and catches Bryan with his own running high knee for a two count off the pinfall. Bryan with a small package out of no where for the win!
That happened so fast that Michael Cole thought The Miz initially won.
Winner: Daniel Bryan via Pinfall
After the match, we see a replay of The Miz trying to go for the Skull Crushing Finale and Bryan immediately countered that into a small package to pick up the pinfall.
A graphic announces Bryan will challenge AJ Styles for the WWE Championship at the upcoming Crown Jewel event in Saudi Arabia on November 2.
No Disqualifications
The Undertaker vs. Triple H
Before the introductions, it’s announced this match will now be No DQ. Commentary implied that Triple H used his corporate connections to make that happen.
We get introductions for Triple H and The Undertaker. Melbourne crowd is loud.
The bell rings and here we go. Triple H avoids an early right hand from Taker. Triple H again avoids Taker moving forward throwing a right. Triple H puts his hands behind his back and then gets in right hands to Taker in the corner. Taker misses another right and Triple H walks off smiling. HBK jumps and slaps hands with Triple H. Taker tries to go Old School on the top rope, but Triple H cuts it off with a right hand. Taker finally hits Old School. On the outside, Taker grabs the neck of HBK and Triple H gets involved to break it up. HBK then drives Taker face first into the steel post. Kane runs up chasing down HBK. Triple H and HBK setup a table at ringside. Taker with a back body drop on Triple H over the floor. Taker then sends Triple H into the steel steps at ringside. Back inside the ring, Triple H connects with a knee to the face for another two count. Taker catches Triple H jumping off the corner and then tosses him over the top rope into the barricade. Taker is clearing off the announce table at ringside. Taker dumps Triple H over the barricade into the crowd. Taker avoids a Pedigree attempt by Triple H on the floor. They begin brawling back to the ringside area. Taker drops HBK with a right hand. Taker pulls a steel chair out from under the ring. Triple H catches Taker with a dropkick to the face on his way back in. Taker levels Triple H with a big boot when he tries to use the steel chair. Taker catches Triple H with a shot to the back using the steel chair. Taker puts Triple H over the table at ringside. Taker catches HBK with a big boot on the ring apron when he jumps up. Taker teases jumping over the top rope, but Triple H is back in and hits him in the ribs with a steel chair. Kane pulls Triple H out. Kane has HBK by the throat. Sweet Chin Music to Kane who falls on the table. Triple H with an elbow off the ring apron through the table over Kane! Back inside, Taker with a chokeslam on Triple H. Taker has Triple H up and connects with the Tombstone Piledriver. Triple H gets a shoulder up. Taker hits the referee and tells HBK he is next. Taker kicks Triple H in the face. Taker cracks the steel chair over Triple H’s back again. HBK gets in the ring and Taker drops him with a right hand right away. Triple H plants Taker with a spinebuster. Triple H with a Pedigree on Taker. A new referee is in the match. Taker kicks out. Triple H wraps the steel chair around the head/neck of Taker and jumps off the corner connecting. Triple H covers and Kane pulls the referee out. HBK grabs a sledgehammer from under the ring and hands it to Triple H. Taker has the steel chair. Triple H steps forward and drives the sledgehammer into the steel chair hitting Taker. Both of the referees are down. Taker has Hell’s Gate applied. Triple H still has the sledgehammer and is using it to choke Taker. Taker lets go. Both men are down. HBK is back in. So is Kane. HBK has the sledgehammer and hits a low blow on Kane. Taker sends HBK over the top rope. Taker avoids a Pedigree and connects with a chokeslam. Taker has Triple H up for a Tombstone. HBK with Sweet Chin Music. Taker is still up. Taker has HBK up for a Tombstone. Triple H hits Taker with the sledgehammer. Sweet Chin Music on Taker. Pedigree on Taker. Triple H hooks the leg. Triple H gets the pinfall victory.
Winner: Triple H via Pinfall
Post-match had Triple H, HBK, The Undertaker, and Kane embrace in the ring and pose for the crowd while pyro went off. Right before letting go of hands, The Undertaker and Kane laid out both Triple H and HBK with the latter being sent through a table. The Undertaker and Kane then walked up the ramp to end the show.