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LECLAIR’S WWE MONEY IN THE BANK 2025 REPORT
JUNE 7, 2025
LOS ANGELES, CA AT INTUIT DOME
AIRED LIVE ON PEACOCK (U.S.), NETFLIX (Int.)
Announcers: Michael Cole & Pat McAfee & Wade Barrett
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-Michael Cole talked over sweeping drone shots of various Los Angeles landmarks, and eventually, the Intuit Dome, site of Money in the Bank. He noted that LA played host to the very first Money in the Bank ladder match at Wrestlemania 21.
Various wrestlers were shown arriving or hanging out backstage as Cole talked up their matches. He welcomed the audience to the show as the broadcast faded to an opening video vignette.
-Fireworks exploded from the rafters of the Intuit Dome. A drone camera made its way around the massive oval LED board suspended from the ceiling. At ringside, Michael Cole introduced his broadcast partners, Pat McAfee and Wade Barrett. Wade congratulated Michael on his 28th anniversary with the company. They tossed briefly to the Spanish announce desk, situated next to them. After, Cole threw it to Alicia Taylor in the ring.
-Taylor introduced the women’s Money in the Bank ladder match and explained the rules.
Alexa Bliss was out of the curtain first, to a strong reaction. She slapped hands with fans on her way to the ring. Cole talked about her previous successful cash-in as a Money in the Bank contract holder. Barrett said she’s already made a couple of shocking returns this year, but it would not be another shock if she retrieved the briefcase. Roxanne Perez was out next. Cole and McAfee talked about her run in NXT and her accomplishments thus far on the roster, namely her time in this year’s Royal Rumble.
Naomi was third to enter. Cole said she ties Becky Lynch and Natalya tonight with a record five Money in the Bank ladder match appearances. Stephanie Vaquer was out next, to a strong initial reaction. “Man, the mood changes when La Primera enters the building,” Michael said. Giulia entered next through a cloud of smoke in the entrance way. Barrett said she has her sights set on the women’s United States Championship and Zelina Vega. “Brutality” hit the speakers and the crowd let out an anticipatory roar. Rhea Ripley coolly marched into view, delivering her signature stomp to drop in her music. Cole mentioned that Rhea has, surprisingly, never competed in a ladder match in her entire career.
(1) ALEXA BLISS vs. ROXANNE PEREZ vs. NAOMI vs. STEPHANIE VAQUER vs. GIULIA vs. RHEA RIPLEY – Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder match
All six women stood poised, glancing around the ring. Rhea Ripley, Alexa Bliss, and Naomi rid the ring of Stephanie Vaquer, Giulia, and Roxanne Perez. McAfee said it’s the veterans “taking it to the young bucks.” Roxanne tried to slide a ladder in the ring, but was quickly fought off by Naomi. Ripley and Bliss squared off the center. They traded waves, then came to blows. Giulia and Perez returned to the ring and tossed them both to the floor. Vaquer came off the top rope and dropped both women with a cross body. She drove double knees into Perez’ chest and retrieved a ladder. Naomi quickly cut her off and gave her a Facebuster in the center of the ring.
After ramming the head of a ladder into the ribs of Rhea Ripley, Naomi knocked her to the floor and spun around to toss a ladder at Alexa Bliss’ face. Bliss ducked and tripped Naomi into the prone ladder. A returning Perez suffered the same fate. Bliss hit a double handspring back elbow onto both Naomi and Perez on the ladder. Giulia returned, dropping Bliss and propping the ladder in the northeast corner. She whipped Alexa into the ladder, then attacked Vaquer. The ladder fell across Giulia’s back, but it didn’t seem to affect her. Ripley returned and tossed Giulia aside. She dragged Roxanne and a ladder into the ring. Naomi tried to Wheelbarrow-climb up her midsection, but Ripley dropped her onto a ladder as the match hit 6:00. Ripley propped a ladder against the bottom rope and hooked Perez for a Gutwrench Razor’s Edge. Perez turned it into a ‘rana onto the body of the ladder. She connected on a Springboard Moonsault onto Ripley and the ladder.
Roxanne set up a taller ladder in the center of the ring. She climbed quickly. Bliss grabbed her left ankle and yanked her to the mat. Giulia quickly tossed Bliss to the floor. She and Perez wound up on opposite sides of the ladder. They began a stereo climb. Ripley grabbed at Roxanne’s leg. The Prodigy shared a look with Giulia and the two jumped down together. They attacked Ripley, sandwiching her between the propped ladder and crushing her between it repeatedly. They shoved her to the floor, then slid the ladder out on top of her. Giulia and Perez worked together to retrieve the ladders positioned all around ringside. They piled them on top of Ripley, burying her.
Meanwhile, Naomi began a solo ascent up the ladder in the ring. Stephanie Vaquer cut her off, pulled her down, and tossed her to the northeast corner. Giulia and Perez returned and suffered the same fate, temporarily creating a stack. She tossed them away, then gave Naomi a Dragon Screw against the middle rope. She hit Perez with a snap Suplex. Vaquer began climbing, to the crowd’s delight. Giulia dragged her back to the floor. She tried to apply an Octopus hold on Vaquer, but Stephanie carried her right up the ladder. Giulia slid free, grabbed waist control and gave Vaquer a stalling German Suplex.
Giulia was left alone to climb, briefly. Naomi met her about halfway up the ladder. Giulia fought her off, but quickly ate a missile drop kick from Alexa Bliss. Bliss climbed the right side of the ladder while Roxanne made her way up the left. They traded blows on the top rungs as the match approached 13:00. While they struggled, Stephanie Vaquer set up an adjacent ladder. She climbed it. Naomi and Bliss fought to the floor. Bliss tossed Naomi to the outside, then gave Stephanie a Powerbomb off the ladder. Giulia and Perez teetered on the first ladder. Bliss pushed the second ladder into the first, toppling both. Roxanne and Giulia telegraphed it and jumped safely to the mat. They lifted Bliss together and dropped her, stomach first on the outer edge of a ladder.
Perez and Giulia checked around the ring for their competition. Giulia turned her back on Roxanne for just a moment, and The Prodigy pounced. She beat down Giulia, then looked to retrieve a ladder outside. Rhea Ripley was waiting for her, emerging from the pile of ladders. She dropped Perez, then Giulia, then Naomi. She gave Roxanne a Razor’s Edge, tossing her body right into a charging Naomi. Rhea wedged a ladder between the middle and top turnbuckles in the southeast corner. Ripley hoisted Giulia in Electric Chair position and dropped her on the ladder. Ripley was left alone in the ring. She set up a ladder and began to climb. Vaquer slid into view, catching Rhea’s foot. Ripley dropped down and flattened Stephanie with a headbutt. Ripley used a second ladder to build a bridge between the northwest middle turnbuckle and the open ladder.
Vaquer attacked Ripley from behind, bouncing her head off the bridged ladder. She dragged her onto it and completed the Devil’s Kiss on the ladder to a massive pop. Vaquer looked poised to pull down the briefcase, but Perez cut her off, pulling her down to the bridge. Vaquer and Perez teetered. Bliss sprung up the other side of the ladder. Perez kicked Vaquer to the mat. Naomi pulled Bliss off the ladder. Vaquer popped up and walked the tightrope of ladder rungs back to Perez, grabbing a waist lock.
On the opposite side, Naomi created a mirrored bridge with a third ladder. She and Bliss fought atop it. Perez and Bliss hooked Vaquer and Naomi at the same time, then executed stereo Code Reds on the opposing ladder bridges. Giulia stirred to her feet as the match crossed 21:45. She dissembled the bridges and centered the climbing ladder under the briefcase. Giulia reached the top, but Perez rushed up to meet her. Giulia got hands on the carabiner, but Perez blocked her. They traded punches and headbutts. Bliss began to stir beneath Perez. Perez pulled at Giulia’s braids. Ripley emerged, pulling Giulia back to the mat. She gave her Riptide. At the same time, Bliss caught Perez with a Sister Abigail.
Bliss and Ripley shared a look and a nod as they slowly rose to their feet, crowding the ladder. They fought to position their side directly underneath the briefcase. Naomi returned as they got halfway up. She toppled the ladder over, causing Bliss and Ripley to spill into a propped ladder in the corner. Naomi climbed the ladder and retrieved the briefcase.
WINNER: Naomi in 25:11
(LeClair’s Analysis: There was a lot of talent in this match, and a really invested crowd who seemed to be into pretty much everyone, though Ripley and Vaquer stood head and shoulders above the rest. To me, it felt a bit disjointed at times – more like a collection of spots than a coherent story, but that’s sort of par for the course in these multi-person ladder matches. Unfortunately, there’s been so many of them at this point, that it’s hard to find one particularly memorable over the next. This was enjoyable, though, and I thought it did an admirable job at giving shine to three really special, new main roster talents, even in defeat. Naomi is an interesting winner, especially given the amount of talent surrounding her, but I do think the briefcase works better as a heel gimmick and I do think her character work is good enough to carry a passable level of intrigue if she’s to keep the briefcase for any considerable length of time.)
-After a break, Vikingo, Mr. Iguana, and Konnan were shown watching from ringside. Back at the desk, Cole talked about World’s Collide earlier in the day. He tossed to video footage of Octagon Jr. winning his opening tag team match, then getting into it with Dominik Mysterio. Dom then challenged Octagon to an Intercontinental title match tonight. Cole tossed to a break.
Dominik Mysterio headed to the ring, joined by Liv Morgan. He wore a Lucha mask at first, then ripped it off and tossed it aside. Morgan laughed and she clung to his shoulder all the way down the aisle. Mysterio posed with the Intercontinental title to a mixed reaction. Octagon Jr. entered, slapping hands with fans as his AAA cohorts cheered him on from the front row.
(2) DOMINIK MYSTERIO (c, w/ Liv Morgan) vs. OCTAGON JR. – WWE Intercontinental Championship match
Octagon Jr. came flying at Dominik Mysterio right out of the gate. Dom went for a sliding dropkick, but Octagon flipped right over it. He gave Mysterio a ‘rana to the floor, then a quick Springboard Moonsault to the outside. Liv Morgan looked on with concern, jeering Octagon as he retrieved Dom and tossed him back in the ring. He tossed Mysterio to the southeast corner and charged. Dominik side-stepped and dropped Octagon Jr. to the mat. He tied the ribbons on the back of Octagon’s mask to the bottom rope, then stomped him repeatedly. He posed for the crowd and they cheered loudly.
Mysterio tossed his shirt at Konnan and company. He mounted Octagon Jr. and gave him a few punches. Octagon Jr. popped to his feet, leapt to the apron and gave Mysterio a leaping corkscrew arm drag. He covered Mysterio for a two count. The crowd sang to the Intercontinental Champion as the match hit 3:00. Mysterio hooked his challenger for the Three Amigos, but only completed the first Suplex. Octagon Jr. broke free and hit the ropes, but Mysterio scooped him into the air for a sit-out slam. He hooked the leg for a two count. Mysterio kicked Octagon Jr. into the middle rope and called for the 619. Octagon Jr. ducked. He kicked Dom in the face, then hit a spinning Plancha into the ring for a cover and two count.
Octagon Jr. caught Mysterio with a Fisherman Neckbreaker. He climbed the southeast turnbuckles, but Liv Morgan leapt up to distract him. Dom knocked Octagon to the mat, then tossed him into the ropes. He gave him a 619 and followed up with a Frog Splash to the back for a cover and three count.
WINNER: Dominik Mysterio in 4:53 to retain the WWE Intercontinental Championship
(LeClair’s Analysis: I’ve been very critical of AEW for throwing wrestlers from other companies into prominent matches on television and Pay-Per-View without spending time to introduce them to their weekly audience, and the same complaints apply here. This felt forced. Octagon Jr. was an unknown commodity to the audience, and so, despite being the babyface in the match, the crowd was disinterested. They’d already been fighting uphill to get Mysterio booed, and putting him against a wrestler the majority of the audience was likely unfamiliar with certainly didn’t help the cause. This is a booking trend that I genuinely didn’t think would ever cross over into WWE, and I don’t think it’s a good thing that it has. While I guess I’m glad they didn’t attempt to undercut their own talent by booking a 50/50 10+ minute match here, I also don’t think going under 5 provides any net benefits either. This could’ve just been omitted.)
-A clip from earlier today aired. Chad Gable was talking to American Made about hiding something under the ring for El Grande Americano. He told them to make sure it was somewhere Americano could find. “Make sure you tell me, too.” He winked and smiled.
-A video package for the women’s Intercontinental title match aired.
Becky Lynch headed to the ring wearing an oversized, sleeveless, red fur coat. “It’s 100 degrees in here, Becky!” Cole exclaimed. She posed on the ropes to a muted reaction. Lyra Valkyria spread her wings as Pat McAfee “woo’ed” along to her music. She posed on the steps and in the ring as Alicia Taylor prepared to deliver Championship introductions.
(3) LYRA VALKYRIA (c) vs. BECKY LYNCH – WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship match
Becky Lynch turned around and tried to sucker punch Lyra Valkyria during introductions. Referee Jessika Carr called for the bell. Lynch and Valkyria brawled briefly before Lyra tossed Becky to the floor. Lyra tried to dive through the middle rope onto Lynch, but Becky moved. Valkyria landed awkwardly on her left elbow and kicked and screamed in pain. Lynch retrieved her, then tossed her into the announce desk and the barricade before returning her to the ring just about 90 seconds into the match.
The challenger delivered a Bexploder and covered for a quick two count. She pounded her chest and talked some trash to the champion. “This is your champion for about five more minutes,” she told the crowd before choking Lyra against the middle rope. A dueling chant built inside the Intuit Dome. Lynch went for an uppercut, but Valkyria turned it into a Backslide for a two count. Lynch rolled to her feet and went for the Man-Handle Slam, but Valkyria floated out of it. She pulled Becky in for Night Wing, but Lynch blocked. The veteran shook her head in frustration. She gave Lyra a running leg drop, then covered for another two count.
Valkyria was staggered against the ropes. Becky gave her a couple of hard chops. She went for a third, but Lyra blocked and threw a couple of pointed forearms. The two traded DDT attempts, but Lyra settled for a spinning Neckbreaker instead. Both women were down in the center of the ring as the match crossed 4:30. Cole said people are finally starting to learn about Lyra Valkyria, and the more they learn, they more they’re going to appreciate what she can do. Valkyria scooped Becky onto her shoulders, but Lynch slid free and into a roll up. Lyra turned it over into one of her own for a two count. Lynch popped up and threw a kick. Lyra caught it. Becky spun herself free and pulled the champion into a spike DDT for a cover and near fall.
“There’s levels to this game,” Barrett said, “and we’re witnessing unmatched finesse from Becky Lynch.” The Man ascended the southwest corner of the ring. Lyra rose to meet her, hooking her for, and delivering a Superplex. She held the grip, rolled to her feet and hit Lynch with a Fisherman Suplex for a cover and two count. Lyra dragged Becky into position, then went for a middle rope Moonsault. Lynch moved. Lyra landed on her feet. Becky ripped Valkyria to the mat and into the Disarm-Her. Lyra rolled free, picked the ankle of Lynch and turned it first into a single leg crab, then an ankle lock. Lynch reached the bottom rope relatively quickly. She slid to safety on the floor, but Lyra dove onto her. The champion tossed her challenger back in the ring, but Lynch slid right out the adjacent side.
Near the timekeeper’s area, Valkyria and Lynch struggled for position against the barricade. Lyra draped Becky across it, climbed the Spanish announce desk, and hit a leg drop. She tossed Becky back in the ring, climbed the southeast corner and went for a missile dropkick. Lynch pulled her into a stack Powerbomb for a cover and near fall just before 11:00. The camera pulled back as Cole reset the stage. A large “we want Truth” chant broke out. Becky kicked at Lyra on her to the top turnbuckle. Valkyria cut her off again. She hoisted Becky onto her shoulders. Becky elbowed herself free and executed the Man-Handle Slam off the middle rope. She hooked the leg for a very close near fall.
“The tank has fully run dry,” Barrett said of Lynch. Becky snarled with frustration. She rolled to the outside to retrieve the champion, tossing her violently into the ring post. Becky dragged a prone Lyra back toward the ring, but had to drop her to break the count. On her second attempt, Valkyria scooped Lynch up and delivered Night Wing on the floor. Carr counted both women to nine, but they broke the count at the last possible moment. Struggling to their feet, champion and challenger began to trade crushing blows. Lynch went for another Man-Handle Slam, but Lyra turned it into a roll up. Lynch rolled through it into her own. She pulled the tights and scored a three count.
WINNER: Becky Lynch in 15:18 to win the WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship
Cole called for a replay, which clearly showed Lynch grabbing the tights. Barrett waved it away. Becky swung the title over her shoulder and told Lyra to get up, forcing Valkyria to honor their deal. Lyra reluctantly raised Becky’s hand. Lynch said she has to do it to all four sides. Lyra put her head down and bared it. Lynch demanded that Lyra put the title around her waist. Lyra obliged, but then gave Lynch a release German Suplex and a Night Wing. The crowd popped for her.
(LeClair’s Analysis: Good match, and markedly different than their encounter last month. I may have liked the match slightly better, but this was plenty enjoyable, too. Both Lynch and Valkyria worked hard, laying in shots and really trying to invest the audience in the story and the action. It really does feel like Lynch has made it her personal mission to make Valkyria a star, and though its been slow-going, I think the beats of the story have had a cumulative, positive effect on her trajectory. The crowd really liked her showing Lynch up after being embarrassed in the post-match celebration, and I think that was a wise, nuanced move. It certainly feels like these two have one more in them, perhaps with a stipulation this time.)
-Travis Barker and Kourtney Kardashian were shown at ringside.
-Cole tossed to a video package for the men’s Money in the Bank match.
Alicia Taylor introduced the men’s Money in the Bank ladder match and explained the rules.
Seth Rollins was the first to head to the ring, flanked by Paul Heyman. The crowd sang him down the aisle and continued after his music faded out. Penta entered in front of a sea of flames and sparklers. He slyly surfed down the aisle, bumping knuckles with fans the whole way. Cole said it’s his first ladder match in WWE, but he’s a veteran of the match outside it. The broadcast vignetted and turned sepia. El Grande Americano made his way to the ring. Cole talked about Americano wearing Chad Gable’s boots on Raw during his qualification match. Barrett and McAfee dismissed this, as well as Cole’s retort stating that Gable and Americano have the same wrap on their elbow.
Andrade was next out, followed by Solo Sikoa. LA Knight entered last. “The man they named the city after is here!” Wade said, ecstatic. Knight received a big reaction.
(4) SETH ROLLINS (w/ Paul Heyman) vs. PENTA vs. EL GRANDE AMERICANO vs. ANDRADE vs. SOLO SIKOA vs. LA KNIGHT – Men’s Money in the Bank Ladder match
Seth Rollins found himself surrounded by all five of his opponents as soon as the bell rang. He looked around, begging off and trying to reason with Solo Sikoa and El Grande Americano. Andrade, LA Knight, and Penta immediately beat down Rollins. Solo Sikoa stepped forward and tossed Rollins to the floor. He celebrated like he’d joined the babyface club. Penta kicked him in the face, tossed him to the southeast corner and gave him a big dropkick. Sikoa fell to the outside. Rollins returned, dropping Penta and then Andrade. Andrade fought out of the corner and worked Seth into the ropes. Rollins whipped him toward the opposite side, but Andrade leapt cleanly over the ropes onto a pile of waiting arms below.
Penta leapt to the top of the northwest turnbuckle and dove onto the same crowd. He popped to his feet, but was immediately toppled by El Grande Americano. Barrett said that Americano and Chad Gable can’t possibly be the same person, because their nipples are different sizes. Americano leaned a ladder against the southwest turnbuckle on the outside. Penta tossed him back in the ring and slid a ladder under the bottom rope. Penta gave Americano a big chop in the corner as the match crossed 4:00. He dropped Americano in the corner, then went for his headstand dropkick. Rollins cut him off with a ladder to the gut. Seth tried to Powerbomb El Grande onto a ladder, but Americano slid down his back and gave him a front slam onto the steel. Barrett said Americano possesses a an “Olympian-like physique.”
Solo Sikoa returned to the ring and dropped Americano with a ladder. He propped it in the southeast corner as the crowd built up a chant for tables. Sikoa body slammed El Grande onto the ladder, then stole his “thank you” taunt. LA Knight leapt onto Sikoa’s back, but Solo shrugged him off and dumped him on a ladder. He scooped Knight onto his shoulders, looking for a Samoan Drop onto the ladder. Knight slid down his back and hit a reverse DDT instead. Knight caught Solo with his signature leaping elbow, then stomped Sikoa out to the floor. Knight set up a ladder and began to climb. Penta climbed the opposite side. He and Knight traded punches on the ascent. Rollins returned with a taller ladder, setting it up next to theirs. He climbed it, quickly overtaking Penta and Knight. Americano climbed Seth’s ladder. Solo set up one of his own for he and Andrade to climb. All six men teetered on three ladders beneath the briefcase. Americano knocked Rollins to the floor. Knight shoved Penta down. Rollins toppled El Grande’s ladder. Sikoa dumped Andrade to the floor. Sikoa pulled Knight to the floor. Rollins gave Penta a Pedigree.
Rollins and Sikoa circled one another, now alone in the ring. They tossed ladders aside as the crowd began to chant “OTC!” Sikoa went for a surprise Samoan Spike, but Seth ducked and caught Solo with a Superkick. He grabbed a ladder and drove it into Sikoa’s ribs. Seth leaned the ladder against the middle rope in the northwest corner, then tripped Sikoa into it with a drop toe hold. He hit the ropes and connected with the Stomp. “That right there is a brain scrambler,” Wade said. Seth retrieved another ladder. Michael Cole noted how calm Paul Heyman is tonight. Rollins climbed his ladder. El Grande picked his ankle from the mat, then climbed up the ladder and applied an ankle lock. Andrade climbed the opposite side, over Rollins’ dangling body. Andrade flipped over the top of the ladder, delivering a a Sunset Bomb to Americano. Seconds after, Penta Suplexed Rollins off the ladder, onto the propped corner ladder. Seth rolled to the outside, flailing.
After a brief reprieve, Penta and Andrade found themselves jockeying for position on the ladder in the center of the ring. Andrade talked Penta into doing his taunt, allowing him to catch him with a punch. He pulled Penta down the ladder and ripped him to the floor. Penta rose and caught Andrade with a Superkick. he climbed the ladder again. Andrade tossed the other one into his back. Andrade bridged the second ladder using the northwest middle turnbuckle. He and Penta worked up onto it. Penta delivered a Mexican Destroyer on the bridged ladder. “Holy hell!” McAfee exclaimed. A big “Zero Miedo” chant broke out as the match approached 16:00. Solo Sikoa ripped Penta off a ladder. He mocked the Zero Miedo taunt, then got dragged to the floor by LA Knight. Knight tossed Sikoa into the barricade, then he bridged a ladder between the ring apron and barricade.
“I’m gonna put his ass right through that!” Knight told the front row. Before he could, Penta tossed him into the ring. Knight managed to hoist Penta into Powerbomb position, but Penta rolled it into a modified Destroyer. He began climbing the ladder. El Grande Americano returned, grabbed Penta’s waist and gave him a German Suplex. Then, a German Suplex for Rollins, and Sikoa, and Andrade. Americano left the ring to retrieve the branded ladder that Chad Gable had asked the Creed Brothers to hide earlier in the night. He used it to knock down everyone in the ring. El Grande positioned the ladder under the briefcase. He and Penta climbed it. Penta knocked El Grande to the floor, leaving him alone atop the ladder. Rollins rose quickly to meet him. They traded punches Penta kicked Rollins, forcing him down with his boot. Outside, Americano was seen sliding the steel plate under his mask. Barrett called it a “medicated patch to combat swelling.”
In the ring, Penta knocked Rollins clean off the ladder. The crowd rose to their feet in anticipation. Outside, Americano used the propped ladder to climb onto the turnbuckle, then the one in the ring to launch himself onto Penta’s ladder. He shoved Penta to the floor. Americano looked poised to retrieve the briefcase, but Knight emerged under Americano and gave him a backdrop off the ladder. Everyone was down. Heyman pounded the mat, calling for Rollins to stand. He made his way up slowly. Andrade managed to thwart him. Penta returned. Andrade gave Rollins a Superkick. Andrade and Penta traded rights just under the swinging briefcase. Andrade knocked Penta to the floor. Sikoa took his spot. Andrade was left hanging from the carabiner. He let go so he could kick Sikoa to the floor. Knight and Penta fought on another adjacent ladder.
Outside, Rollins yelled frantically, waving toward the entrance. “Come on boys!” Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed emerged through the tunnel and marched to the ring. Breakker broke into a sprint and speared Americano at ringside. He circled the ring in a full sprint and did the same to LA Knight. In the ring, Bronson Reed delivered a Tsunami to Andrade. Heyman directed his henchmen toward Solo Sikoa. Bron and Bronson went to retrieve him. Suddenly, Jacob Fatu’s music hit and the crowd erupted. He and JC Mateo headed to the ring.
Breakker and Mateo spilled to the outside. Bron speared JC through the barricade and into the timekeeper’s area. In the ring, Fatu tossed Reed into the air and gave him a Pop Up Samoan Drop. Reed spilled to the floor. Fatu dove onto him through the middle rope. “I love you, Solo!’ he shouted as he directed Sikoa to retrieve the briefcase. Fatu retrieved a fresh ladder for him and guarded the ring. Solo gave him a hug. “There’s no one who can stop Solo’s ascension,” Cole said. Just as Sikoa got a hand on the briefcase, Fatu spun around and grabbed his ankle. Solo thought he was joking, but Jacob didn’t let go.
“What are you doing?” Sikoa asked. “I hate you!” Fatu responded. The crowd went wild. He ripped Sikoa from the ladder and dropped him. Fatu gave him his signature leaping Moonsault, then stalked him as he rolled to the apron. Fatu finished Sikoa off the a Spinning Solo through the bridged ladder on the outside. Fatu left to significant applause. Meanwhile, Rollins dragged another branded ladder into the ring as the match crossed 32:00. “I don’t think there’s anyone left capable of moving,” Barrett concluded. Rollins climbed the ladder gingerly, laughing all the way. LA Knight returned and pulled Rollins down, dropping him with a full body lariat. Knight climbed the ladder, but Rollins pulled him down. Knight went for the B.F.T. Seth blocked it and tossed Knight into the ladder. He finished him off with a Stomp.
Seth climbed the ladder again, and, with no enemies in sight, unhooked the briefcase.
WINNER: Seth Rollins in 33:46
(LeClair’s Analysis: A lot went on here. I thought, like the women’s match earlier in the night, this felt a little disjointed at times, especially earlier in the match. As wrestlers settled in and found their groove and started to build around some key spots involving Penta and El Grande Americano, I thought it got quite enjoyable. The story they’re telling with Rollins and company has gotten a little messy, because he’s feuding with so many people at once that it seemed like half the roster could conceivably come out to try to cost him the match, and yet, they chose another heel faction to do it. The fans got a big, feel good moment with Fatu breaking free of Sikoa, and man, does he instantly feel like a major act. The crowd pretty clearly wanted to see CM Punk here, and I thought it seemed like an obvious appearance. Ultimately, I’m glad they opted to stick with one side bar and not stack interferences. Rollins felt like the obvious winner here. No one else in the match felt like a fitting addition to a crowded main event title picture right at this moment. Rollins seems destined for a heel title run sooner rather than later, and there’s a lot of ways to get there, and a lot of opponents waiting in the wings for him.)
-Cole tossed to a video package that confirmed Wrestlemania would return to Las Vegas in 2026. Billed as a “double down.”
-A video package aired for the tag team main event.
Cody Rhodes entered first to strong reaction and his usual sea of fireworks. Cole noted that it’s his first match since Wrestlemania. The camera cut to a shot if Jey Uso in the concourse, ready to enter through the lower bowl. He yeeted in unison with the crowd. McAfee said he just saw Topanga (Danielle Fishel) yeeting along in the audience. Cole said that Uso and Rhodes have been successful as a tag team, even once holding the tag titles. As Jey’s music faded out, the crowd pumped themselves up for an encore. Uso looked poised to oblige, but Logan Paul’s music put an end to it. He entered with the same drone camera he used at Wrestlemania. It made its rounds along the upper oval of the Intuit Dome, then flew into Paul’s hand in the ring.
The crowd turned back toward the entrance in anticipation. John Cena’s music hit and he received a massive reaction. John sauntered through the tunnel and looked at the crowd above and behind him. The announcers laid out as he sneered at the fans and motioned for the truck to cut his music. Alicia Taylor delivered introductions. Cody got a mix, Jey was yeeted, Paul was booed, Cena was heavily cheered.
(5) CODY RHODES & JEY USO vs. JOHN CENA & LOGAN PAUL
Cody Rhodes and Jey Uso shared a hug as the bell rang. Cody opted to begin the match with John Cena. The WWE Champion marched around the ring and slipped away from a lock up with Rhodes, instead tagging in Logan Paul before engaging. Paul did the same, dancing around Cody and then quickly tagging out. Cody bested Logan in a lock up. Paul broke it and did a couple of cartwheel rolls. Cody did one of his own. The audience popped. Paul leapfrogged Cody but ate a kick to the gut. Rhodes gave Paul a stalling front Suplex, then twisted Paul’s arm. He tagged in Jey Uso.
“Main Event” Jey Uso tried to take over the arm hold, but Paul caught him with a right hand. A second one dropped Jey to his knees. Uso took a moment to shake off the cobwebs, then delivered a pop-up neckbreaker to Logan. He mounted the Maverick in the southwest corner and delivered some punches, followed by an uppercut as the match crossed 4:00. Backing Paul into the corner, Jey wound up taking a boot to the face. He covered Uso for a quick two count. Paul tagged in Cena. John pounced, firing off fists at Jey, who weakly covered up. Cena whipped Jey violently into the turnbuckles. The World Heavyweight Champion collapsed and arched his back in pain.
A loud “let’s go Cena/Cena sucks” dueling chant broke out as the WWE Champion beat down his opposing brand’s counterpart. Uso countered an Irish whip, sending Cena careening to the buckle and forcing him to make a tag. Paul draped himself over Jey, preventing him from making a tag. Logan scored a two count after a Gutwrench slam. He tagged Cena again. John talked some trash to Cody, then turned to the ailing Jey Uso. Jey stood up and took a running clothesline from Cena. John hit the ropes and dropped Jey with a shoulder tackle. He took a knee and bowed to the crowd. They cheered. Cena tackled Jey again.
“Again, Jey just looks spent,” Cole said. Cena gave the World Champion his spinning Powerbomb, then called for, and connected with the Five Knuckle Shuffle. He hoisted Jey up for the Attitude Adjustment, but Uso slid around, mounted Cena’s back and locked in a Sleeper. John deposited him into the southwest corner and broke the hold. Cody reached his upper body through the ropes, trying to will Jey to life to make a tag. The crowd willed him there, but Paul got a tag and cut him off. He gave Uso a boot and a split-leg drop for a cover and two count at 10:30. Paul grabbed a seated rear sleeper. Jey fought to his knees, then his feet. His fingers were just an inch or so from Cody’s. Paul slammed Uso to the mat. Paul cornered Uso and peppered him with body shots. Cena tagged himself in off the back of Paul, then ran to knock Cody off the apron.
Barrett wondered what kind of chemistry Cena and Paul would have, but applauded their effort thus far. Rhodes rushed back in the ring, trying to avenge Cena’s cheap shot, but the referee quickly removed him. This allowed Paul to get in a cheap shot on Jey. Cena applied a seated headlock. Jey fought to his feet, and again, got just an inch away from Cody’s fingers. Cena shoved Jey away and tried to attack Cody, but Rhodes thwarted him this time. Jey dropped Cena with an Enziguri. Both he and Cena were down, but Paul tagged Cena out. John wasn’t having it. He tagged himself back in and began arguing with Paul.
“Don’t hit me, Cena, I’m Logan Paul!” Cena said he was trying to teach him. While the two heels continued to argue, Jey finally reached Cody Rhodes. He gave Paul a snap Powerslam, then hit Cena with an uppercut and Cody Cutter. Rhodes dumped Logan over the top rope, then dove through the middle rope to tackle him on the outside. He climbed to the top turnbuckle and hit Cena with a dropkick. Cody set up for Cross Rhodes, but Cena shoved him away, right into the right hand of Logan Paul. Rhodes stumbled into the waiting arms of Cena, who hit him with the Attitude Adjustment. Cena covered, but Uso broke it up.
Paul leapt to the apron and went for the Buckshot Lariat on Jey, but he slipped and fell on his face. He stood quickly and took a Superkick from Jey. Cody gave Cena a Cross Rhodes. Paul tried to dive on Cody from the apron, but Cody moved and Logan splashed Cena instead. Jey gave Paul a Spear. All four men were down for a few moments as the match crossed 17:00. Cena and Uso stood and traded punches. Cena went for another Attitude Adjustment, but Jey slid down his back and caught him with a Superkick that sent him to the outside. Logan returned to catch Paul with a hard right hand. Cody spun Paul around and hit the short jab combo. He went for the Bionic Elbow, but Paul caught him with a kick to the gut and the Paulverizer. Paul called for his drone and climbed to the top rope.
The camera cut to Paul’s drone just in time for Cody to leap to the top rope and Superplex Logan. Uso flew off the top and splashed Paul. Cena returned and gave both Jey and Cody Attitude Adjustments. He covered Rhodes, but he kicked out at two. Rhodes rolled to the floor. Cena followed. He bashed Cody’s head against the northeast ring post, then cleaned off the announce desk. By this point, Cole had lost track of the legal men. Cena cleared the Spanish announce desk, too. He tossed Rhodes onto the main desk and stood over him, sneering. Cena set up for another A.A. Cody slid down his back. Jey came flying off the adjacent desk and speared John. The table didn’t budge.
Jey was was exhausted, laid out on the announce desk. Paul saw an opportunity. He leapt to the ring apron and completed a springboard Moonsault off the middle rope, onto Jey and through the table. Meanwhile, John Cena retrieved the WWE Championship and stalked Rhodes in the ring. The referee was on the outside, checking on Uso and Paul. Cena cracked Cody in the head with the WWE title. Suddenly, a hooded figured in all black hit the ring and tackled Cena. He grabbed the WWE title and hit Cena in the head with it. The man ripped his hood down and mask off. It was R-Truth. The crowd exploded. Truth ran from the ring and escaped through the crowd. Rhodes gave Cena a Cross Rhodes and covered him for a three count.
WINNERS: Cody Rhodes & Jey Uso in 24:00
(LeClair’s Analysis: WWE has a tried and true formula they stick to in main event tag matches, and this certainly was no exception. The extended beat downs and hot tag teases can get a little old, and it really felt like they milked this. I thought it made Jey look a little weak. There was a clear and focused effort here to build support around Cody Rhodes, and, while I do think it largely worked, it kind of felt like Jey was very clearly treated as a “lesser than” to Cody, John, and Logan. I did think the action picked up and became more engaging as things progressed, and Truth’s surprising return felt cathartic for a crowd that had chanted for him off and on throughout the whole night. I’m not sure if Truth has been officially brought back to the company, or if this was a one-time appeasement to the obvious groundswell of discontent from their audience, but either way, it feels like a smart response. For all the very legitimate criticisms of TKO’s ever evolving strategies with WWE and its presentation, it’s hard to imagine such a direct response to audience discontent in past eras.
This was largely fine, but I continue to be wholly underwhelmed and disappointed by Cena’s heel run. The crowd is generally disinterested in doing anything but cheering him. The boos feel like they’re in jest, and Cena’s performance feels equally put-on. What I once thought could be a defining run in Cena’s illustrious career is quickly starting to feel like a rather uneventful miscalculation.)
FINAL THOUGHTS: WWE continues to string together PLEs that somehow manage to feel greater than the sum of their parts. With the exception of the hastily added men’s Intercontinental title match, this was a fine card that was enjoyable, if not largely forgettable. And that’s WWE in a nutshell right now. Nothing is inherently bad, most things are pretty fun in the moment, but there’s little to no lasting impact. Here today, gone tomorrow. There’s a soulless corporatism seeping into every facet of this product, and despite delivering a handful of moments, there just doesn’t appear to be that much lasting appeal. But, it’s hard to to be overly critical about an event that had lofty expectations of, perhaps, a Roman Reigns return, a CM Punk appearance or a contract cash-in and managed to still send the crowd home happy despite delivering not one of those things. This is a mild thumbs up for me.
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