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Welcome to the first edition of the new weekly feature "WWE Recap of the Week", where I'll be covering every major thing that took place in WWE this past week. From major storyline progressions and results on RAW, SmackDown, and NXT, to top WWE news and rumors of the week, if you missed any of it, don't worry I've got you covered.
This last week was a pretty eventful week for WWE with the rating wars of NXT and All Elite Wrestling (AEW) being highly discussed by the wrestling fans. The Black & Gold brand of WWE aired a special episode featuring some top-class matches. On the other hand, the Red and Blue brands built towards the upcoming "The Horror Show at WWE Extreme Rules" PPV, which will take place on July 19, 2020.
So without further delay, let's dive straight into the WWE recap of this week. Be sure to comment down and let us know your thoughts on the current WWE programming on all three brands.
#5 WWE Monday Night RAW
This week's Monday Night RAW kicked off with WWE Champion Drew McIntyre and his opponent at WWE Extreme Rules, Dolph Ziggler. Released WWE Superstar Heath Slater came out and asked for a match against McIntyre. The WWE Champion ended up squashing Heath Slater in seconds, leading to Ziggler taking out his anger on Slater. Drew then took Ziggler out and ended the segment hugging out with his former 3MB teammate.
RAW Women's Champion Asuka interrupted the segment of Bayley and Sasha Banks and brought out Kairi Sane. This led to a match between Sane and Banks which ended in a DQ win for Sane after Bayley interrupted, leading to a brawl between the four women.
Aleister Black was attacked backstage. Seth Rollins appeared on the Kevin Owens show and challenged Rey Mysterio for a match at WWE Extreme Rules, which Rey accepted. The faces defeated the heels in a tag team match, after which Mysterio revealed the "Eye for an Eye" stipulation for their match at Extreme Rules.
MVP and Bobby Lashley unveiled the new United States title belt and reminded everyone that he'll face Apollo at the upcoming Extreme Rules PPV. The pair then defeated Cedric Alexander and Ricochet in a tag team match.
Randy Orton, Andrade, and Angel Garza next defeated The Big Show and the Viking Raiders in a 6-Man Tag Team Match. MVP tried to recruit Cedric Alexander. R-Truth ran into Orton and Ric Flair backstage and the two helped him by sending Tozawa the wrong way. Billie Kay defeated Ruby Riott.
In the main event of RAW, Asuka took on Bayley in a champion vs champion match, with Nikki Cross on commentary. Asuka ended up picking up the victory after a great match. Overall, RAW was action-packed, entertaining, and had some great matches.
#4 WWE NXT - The Great American Bash
The next WWE show of the week was Night 2 of NXT The Great American Bash, with some massive matches lined up. The show started with an incredible Street Fight between Candice LeRae and Mia Yim. Candice won the match after hitting Yim with a swinging neckbreaker from the top rope onto a pile of chairs.
In the next match, Bronson Reed defeated Tony Nese. Backstage, Robert Stone and Aliyah tried to persuade Shotzi Blackheart to join them. Killian Dain appeared and took out Stone and the segment ended with Blackheart running over her tank on Robert Stone's ankle. Ouch!
Johnny Gargano then faced and defeated Isaiah "Swerve" Scott after an incredible back and forth match. Later on the show, Gargano and Candice LeRae appeared for a WWE interview backstage and declared themselves the greatest power couple in the world.
Legado del Fantasma (NXT Cruiserweight Champion Santos Escobar, Raul Mendoza, and Joaquin Wilde) took on Drake Maverick and Breezango. The heels picked up the victory as Escobar pinned Maverick after hitting him with the Phantom Driver. Next, Mercedes Martinez made her NXT return and defeated Santana Garrett.
In the highly-anticipated main-event of the show, NXT North American Champion Keith Lee took on NXT Champion Adam Cole in a "winner takes all" match. After a great match with several near-falls, Lee pinned Cole to end his 400+ day reign as the NXT Champion and become the first WWE Superstar to hold both the above-mentioned titles at the same time.
The show ended with Keith Lee holding both the titles as Karrion Kross and Scarlett Bordeaux watched him from up high. He looks to have his eyes set on the new NXT Champion.
#3 WWE Friday Night SmackDown
WWE SmackDown kicked off with The Miz TV hosting Jeff Hardy as the guest. Miz and John Morrison proposed a Bar Fight for Hardy vs Sheamus at WWE Extreme Rules. Hardy agreed and then attacked both of them. The Charismatic Enigma then defeated the Miz in a singles match.
Next, the WWE Women's Tag Team Champions Bayley and Sasha Banks took on former champions Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross. The Rolemodel and The Blueprint picked up the victory after Sasha distracted Nikki and Bayley took advantage.
We then got a full recap the Universal Championship match between Braun Strowman and Bray Wyatt at WWE Money in the Bank 2020. The two will face each other at WWE Extreme Rules in a Wyatt Swamp fight. The match will not be for the Universal title.
Jey Uso hosted the first-ever SmackDown Karaoke showdown with Naomi, Lacey Evans, Dana Brooke, and Tamina. In what was a forgettable segment, they sang various WWE theme songs, and Naomi was voted as the winner by the audience.
WWE Intercontinental Champion AJ Styles revealed in a backstage interview that he will put his title on the line against Matt Riddle next week on SmackDown.
The main event of the night saw The New Day defend their SmackDown Tag Team titles against Cesaro and Shinsuke Nakamura. The match ended in a no-result as the referee called the bell after Cesaro and Nakamura kept double-teaming on Kofi Kingston.
#2 Top WWE News of the week
As mentioned earlier, this past week was a very eventful one for WWE. Here are a few top news stories from the week.
NXT Superstar Keith Lee became the first WWE Superstar to hold both the North American Championship and NXT Championship at the same time. He defeated Adam Cole at NXT Great American Bash, ending his 400+ day reign as the NXT Champion. Lee dedicated his victory to former World Champion, Mark Henry.
NXT once again defeated AEW in viewership ratings. NXT drew 759,000 viewers as compared to AEW's 715,000. Tony Khan and Chris Jericho defended their promotion by stating their performance in the key demographics.
NXT Superstar Tegan Nox confirmed her relationship with Sierra St. Pierre, becoming the second active WWE female Superstar after Sonya Deville to come out as a lesbian.
WWE's Chief Brand Officer Stephanie McMahon shared the news of her 93-year-old grandmother passing away.
WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels revealed that he thinks NXT Superstars Adam Cole and Johnny Gargano are more talented and charismatic than he was.
WWE Superstar and one-half of the RAW Tag Team Champions, Angelo Dawkins became a father.
Former WWE Spanish commentator Hugo Savinovich said that Vince McMahon could look to sell WWE to Saudi Arabia for $8 Billion.
Former WWE Superstar Lio Rush teased retiring from pro wrestling after one last match. He asked fans who would they want to see him face in his final match.
SmackDown Superstar Matt Riddle broke silence about sexual allegations against him. He revealed having an affair while being married but mentioned that the story of him forcing himself on Candy Cartwright was made up
Updated Match Card for WWE Extreme Rules 2020 -
Drew McIntyre (c) vs. Dolph Ziggler - WWE Championship
Asuka (c) vs. Sasha Banks - Raw Women's Championship
Bayley (c) vs. Nikki Cross - SmackDown Women's Championship
Braun Strowman vs. Bray Wyatt - Wyatt Swamp Fight
Rey Mysterio vs. Seth Rollins - Eye for an Eye match
Apollo Crews (c) vs. MVP - United States Championship
Jeff Hardy vs. Sheamus - Bar Fight
#1 Top WWE rumors of the week
Rumors are a major part of modern-day wrestling experience. Some top WWE rumors from this past week are -
WWE Extreme Rules will reportedly have two cinematic matches. One would be the Wyatt Swamp Fight between Bray Wyatt and Braun Strowman. The other would be the "Eye for an Eye" match between Seth Rollins and Rey Mysterio. WWE plans to use CGI effects to simulate an eye being pulled out.
WWE legend and RAW Superstar Rey Mysterio's WWE contract has reportedly expired. He is currently working for WWE without an official contract.
WWE has reportedly offered a new contract to Kairi Sane, who appeared on Monday Night RAW this week. Earlier there were reports of her moving back to Japan, with her husband and retiring from professional wrestling soon.
WWE has shot down the idea of breaking up The Undisputed Era. After losing his NXT title to Keith Lee, Adam Cole and The Undisputed Era might have a proper babyface run on NXT.
Heath Slater's surprise appearance on RAW this week was reportedly just a one-off and he won't be resigning with the company.
Vince McMahon reportedly has a similar relationship with Brock Lesnar as he had with The Undertaker. The Beast Incarnate has immense respect for the WWE Chairman and would appear for WWE even in unfavorable situations.
AJ Styles will reportedly take on Matt Riddle at Summerslam with the Intercontinental Championship on the line.
Tune in to Sportskeeda for all the latest WWE news and rumors!
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