WWE presents another early afternoon Premium Live Even in Bash in Berlin. Earlier this week reports circulated that WWE will be sticking with the shorter pay-per-view lengths because they are satisfied with the format. This is smart because it gives time for all the matches on the show while also not dragging out anything on the show. This card only has five jam-packed matches, so let’s see how the show was!
Undisputed WWE Championship: Cody Rhodes vs Kevin Owens: I was shocked that they started the show with this match, but it delivered. The crowd was red hot for Rhodes, which is no surprise as Rhodes sold his knee injury that he supposedly suffered on the European Tour loop this week. Owens continued the story that he did not feel like he deserved this match as he was scared to hit some of his bigger moves on his friend. Rhodes picked up the win clean as the two embraced with a hug and a handshake after the match was over. I believe Owens is going to turn heel in the next couple of weeks and these two will run this match back before the year is over.
Winner: “And Still” Cody Rhodes
WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Isla Dawn and Alba Fyre vs Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill: In my opinion, this was Cargill’s best performance in WWE so far. You can tell she feels more comfortable in the ring and she was pulling off a lot of moves that she has not in the past. I do not think we were able to see the full capability of Dawn and Fyre’s reign and I hope they can hold the titles again soon. Cargill gets the win for her team as she and Belair hit this cool seesaw double-team move.
Winners: “And New” Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill
Strap Match: CM Punk vs Drew McIntyre: For the first time in 10 ½ years, CM Punk gets a win in a WWE ring! Although this was the most extreme game of red light green light in WWE history this match did what it needed to do. Punk wore his All-In gear from last year which is crazy to see how much truly changes in a year. The spot where McIntrye was hitting the turnbuckles and Punk was doing it behind his back was hilarious and made the match so unserious. Punk hit a series of Go to Sleep to get the win and get his bracelet back for AJ and Larry.
Winner: CM Punk
Liv Morgan and Dominick Mysterio vs Rhea Ripley and Damian Priest: What a fun match! When Ripley and Priest were making their entrance Cole kept poking fun at Morgan and Mysterio saying that they were scared and that they had to get into the ring because the match was starting. Halfway through the match, we were joined by the other members of Judgement Day who tried to help out Morgan and Mysterio, but it was not enough for the Terror Twins. When Ripley finally got her hands on Mysterio the crowd went ballistic as it was one of the loudest pops of the night. Ripley pinned Morgan to set up their match at Bad Blood where I am guessing Ripley will finally regain her title!
Winners: Rhea Ripley and Damian Priest
WWE World Heavyweight Championship: Gunther vs Randy Orton: This was a little bit more technical than their first match and it took a little bit for the crowd to get into this matchup. Within the first five minutes, the crowd was doing the wave and you can tell on both Gunther and Orton’s face that they were not happy. Gunther only took one RKO as he was able to block the others as he was prepared for everything Orton had to offer in this match. Gunther wins by hitting the sleeper and Orton passes out. Orton and Gunther shake hands to close out this afternoon’s premium live event.
Winner: “And Still” Gunther
Overall: The international crowds always know how to deliver on early afternoon PLEs. The only match that the crowd was somewhat quiet for was the Women’s Tag Match, but when Cargill and Belair started to get momentum the crowd started to get loud again. All of the bigger WWE faces got all the praise they deserved as this event did what it needed to do as we head to our next show Bad Blood!
