WWE returned to pay-per-view with WWE Bad Blood full of intense rivalries. Bad Blood took place in Atlanta, featuring five highlighted matches on Saturday night. This pay-per-view made a comeback after 20 years. One of the main attractions was the anticipated conclusion of the rivalry between CM Punk and Drew McIntyre, who clashed inside Hell in a Cell. Additionally, Roman Reigns teamed up with his long-time rival Cody Rhodes to face Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu giving fans a match for ages.
CM Punk vs. Drew McIntyre
Result: Punk defeated McIntyre
Top Moments and Takeaways
- Punk delivered a punishing blow to McIntyre using a toolbox, reminiscent of the legendary Hart vs. Austin Submission match in 1997.
- Both wrestlers bled during the match, with McIntyre sustaining a more severe injury, marking a rare moment of a "crimson mask" in WWE.
- The introduction of beads late in the match, after a tease with a black bag typically associated with thumbtacks, added an intriguing element to the storyline.
WWE Women’s Championship: Bayley vs. Nia Jax
Result: Jax defeated Bayley to retain
Top Moments and Takeaways
- Michael Cole compared Jax's dominance to a "Mets-style thrashing," earning groans from Phillies fans.
- Jax executed an impressive yet unconventional Nia-canrana, showcasing her growth as a performer and enriching her title run narrative.
- A comical ref bump involving Carr lightened the mood, adding to the match's overall entertainment.
Damian Priest vs. Finn Bálor
Result: Priest defeated Bálor
Top Moments and Takeaways
- Priest delivered a dramatic YEET by throwing Bálor across the announce table.
- This match felt flat, possibly due to the crowd's lack of belief in Priest as a heel.
Triple H’s Historic Announcement
WWE Chief Content Officer Triple H highlighted a successful box office for Bad Blood and introduced the Crown Jewel Championship, set to debut on November 2 at Crown Jewel in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This title will be contested by the top men's and women's champions.
Gunther made a bold statement, taunting Goldberg, who was ringside. Goldberg attempted to confront Gunther but was held back by security, setting the stage for a future confrontation. Sami Zayn also interrupted, teasing a showdown on Monday Night Raw. This segment effectively built anticipation for upcoming events.
Women’s World Championship: Rhea Ripley vs. Liv Morgan
Result: Ripley defeated Morgan via disqualification
Top Moments and Takeaways
- The initial part of the match showcased great chemistry between Ripley and Morgan, with Ripley using her opponent's emotions to her advantage.
- The match's climax involved Dominik Mysterio causing chaos from a shark cage, leading to an unnecessary overbooked finish.
- Raquel Rodriguez’s return to aid Morgan resulted in the disqualification, which detracted from an otherwise solid contest.
Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns vs. Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu
Result: Rhodes and Reigns defeated Sikoa and Fatu
Top Moments and Takeaways
- The match followed a standard tag team format, with Sikoa and Fatu initially dominating Rhodes before he made a hot tag to Reigns.
- Rhodes executed a spectacular splash from the ring post onto Fatu, showcasing his athleticism.
- The returning Jimmy Uso played a pivotal role, distracting the heels and allowing Reigns to secure the victory with a Spear.
- The show concluded with The Rock making a surprise return, igniting further intrigue in The Bloodline storyline and setting the stage for Survivor Series: WarGames.
