Road to Royal Rumble 2023

Survivor Series 2022

(Here's the annual note - this month is the 18th anniversary of the first post.  For those of you who are longtime readers or if you just stumbled here right now, thanks for reading. As mentioned last year, there is an endpoint coming in 2025.  The planned final event is Summer Slam 2024, which will be the 150th WWF PPV.  The plan is monthly wrap ups through November and then the farewell two years from this month, the 20th anniversary. That means, if you are doing the math, that one Survivor Series remains.)

Rumble 2023 is in San Antonio.  Here's the 12 match card.

WWF Title: Roman Reigns v. Tyler Black

IC: Prince Devitt v. Johnny Gargano

Tags: Holy Roman Empire (McIntyre/Lashley) v. Dangerous Alliance (Walter/Mystery Partner)

Womens Title: Bianca Belair v. Bayley

Cody Rhodes v. Chad Gable

Ricochet (w/BWI) v. Santos Escobar (w/TSG)

Chicago Street Fight: Asuka v. Iyo Sky

Kevin Steen v. Dominic Mysterio

Rey Mysterio v. Kingston

Montez Ford (w/Dawkins) v. Damian Priest (w/Solo)

Loser Leaves Town: Edge v. Logan Paul 

Winners go To Mania: Horsewomen (Ripley/Baszler) v. Morgan/Bliss v. Nikki/Niven v. Shotzki/Kai

Reigns v. Black: This is the last of the core guys on Roman's original hit list, the guys central to his thesis of WWF being held hostage by indie workers since Punk arrived and formed GDI, leaving the promotion wide open to attack by an indie stocked rival AEW.  Roman took the belt from Zayn, beat Steen in a TV tag, kept over Styles at Survivor Series.  Remaining is Black - who Roman has the longest history with; The Shield (Black/Ambrose/Langston) had a multiple matches against the Usos (Jimmy/Jey/Roman) which set the backdrop here - and with Black the last member of the Shield remaining in the promotion, Reigns can go pretty hard about running him out of the territory.  A win and Reigns will go to Mania as WWF Champ for a full year.  Black attempts to win his 2nd WWF Title.

Devitt v. Gargano: In the prior year, the IC belt was largely contested by matches of former Bullet Club members - when Devitt won the vacant belt at Summer Slam, he pledged to open it up to all challengers, he beat Pete Dunne at Survivor Series - and from what appeared to be retirement returns Johnny Gargano to challenge him here.  Gargano was a babyface when he left and returns as one here, but with an angrier edge - we see that in a backstage moment in the build where Steen atempts to connect with him  (Gargano/Ciampa were the Dark Ride Wrestling chapter of GDI during the drama of the Steen/Zayn/Claudio/Pac version of GDI, they wound up breaking up over it and it sent both their careers on a spiral.  Steen's responsible for both Pac and Claudio leaving the promotion, Gargano and Ciampa carried the Kings of Wrestling name when both left WWE with injury) and Gargano refuses to talk to him.  The IC is a workrate belt and this is a workrate match.

Holy Roman Empire v. Dangerous Alliance: McIntyre/Lashley regained the tag titles for HRE, beating the Usos (Jimmy inadvertantly superkicked Jey, leading to the fall - in the run to the Rumble, Jey very much advertantly superkicks Jimmy in a tag match, ending the Usos team and kicking off their feud; they will brawl on TV, cut pretty vicious promos on each other - there's originally a match that is set up at the Rumble, first time ever, Jimmy v Jey singles match - but is canceled the following week when a Heyman Hustle segment gets out of control between the two of them - the decision is made that they can't be placed in a PPV match against each other - it's just too personal, you see, but they will work dark; it's Jey who emerges as the heel).   For this match, Walter relinquishes the Dark Ride Title he's held for nearly 2 years (and actually he's physically held the belt since he signed with WWF, he walked in the door, won the title, only gave it up because he had to when he chose to work a PPV against Brock, 'cause that's how it works - except he refused to hand over the belt and given Covid it wasn't possible to go to Europe to go get it - eventually there was a reunification - and he won that - Walter is the most dominant figure in Dark Ride history and has just one pinfall loss in WWF (Brock).  In the build to the Rumble, Rousey submitted Gable in a tag match - Reigns then knocked Rousey out, consussing her - and so Walter has given up his Dark Ride belt to go after the HRE - he couldn't get to Roman and Black was number one contender, so this is the next best thing.  The working assumption is Walter's partner will be a returning Rousey (she does not appear in the build, as she is the other member of the Dangerous Alliance, but Heyman is being a little cagey and the specific match is for the Dangerous Alliance, which will include Walter, to challenge for the tag titles). Walter relinquishing the Dark Ride title means a new champion needs to be crowned via Dark Ride Warfare, a "royal rumble" style match that includes pinfalls and the occasional weapon - Dragon Lee wins in his debut with the promotion to become the new Dark Ride Wrestling Champion.

Belair v. Bayley: All babyface match, Belair took the belt from Rousey at Survivor Series, Bayley returns from a long injury and gets the full video package treatment showing the surgery, the rehab, etc...

Rhodes v. Gable: Gable aided Roman in his win over Styles, but that does not cleanse him of that Rousey defeat.  Roman has Gable on notice, that he is being watched very carefully to demonstrate continued worth (Roman also tells Lashley that its his responsibility to make sure Gable demonstrates that worth) - that leads to Gable's beating his and Lashley's former stablemate Nemeth and then he and Lashley are told to hold Nemeth's arms while McIntyre chairshots him (this is Nemeth's farewell) Gable looks hard at Lashley in what should be interpreted as "why are we doing this to Nemeth" - but Lashley won't return the gaze.  Gable exits the ring following apart from the other members of HRE.

Cody has been gone since summer when he was stretchered out from HRE attack, he and Gable had excellent TV matches (think IRL Rhodes/Rollins).  He returns following a Rollins win over Lashley very late in the build, HRE (not Reigns) attacks postmatch, Walter runs in for the save - Rollins is incapactiated so it is 1 on 3 - Walter eventually is overcome - leading to a blackout.  And when the lights come on - it's Rhodes - he, Walter, Rollins do a babyface houseclean.  The next week we're told that it's Rhodes/Gable at the Rumble.

Ricochet v. Escobar: Escobar has joined Zelina/Garza/Carillo as part of Twisted Sun Gods, they have been in a feud with Blood Warriors International (Ricochet/Alexander/Tozawa) and that continues here.

Asuka v. Sky: Asuka lost to her former stablemate/protegee Sky at Survivor Series and then viciously attacked in a full heel turn - the feud escalates throughout the build, Asuka believes Sky's a sellout, and while Sky was able to win a wrestling match - she does not have the fighting spirit to win a street fight - it gets sufficiently personal in the build to justify the escalated stip.  

Steen v. Dom

Rey v. Kingston:  Rey's young masked son Dom has found a path to success, he's a chickenshit heel - Rey is just furious about this, Dom's embarrassing the family name with his brand of wrestling, Dom doesn't understand this at all - he's winning matches.  The Steen match is made and Rey demands of Dom that he, just once, will defend the family (Rey and Steen feuded as an outgrowth of Steen taking Generico's mask, Rey tried to run Steen out of the promotion, Steen was able to convince Rey he had changed, they became tag champs and Steen turned on him - even as Steen is now a babyface, he is not a babyface to Rey, and Rey tells Dom there is no dishonor in losing a fight to Steen - he is a former WWF Champion, but there is dishonor in not stepping up to that fight.  Rey/Kingston is an all babyface match (Rey is a babyface, he's Rey, just a more complex one in his veteran years than IRL)

Ford v. Priest: Street Profits are feuding with Defiance, this continues that.

Edge v. Paul: Paul continues to make videos openly contemptuous of WWF, the sport, the fans, the wrestlers - he returns on a Heyman Hustle to cut a promo on Edge (somehow he came across old Edge and Christian matches, say they were linked in comments when he challenged WWF fans to show him any wrestler that didn't suck) the bit is Paul liked that guy (younger, heel Edge who turned on the Hardys, and later fucked Lita, etc...) and was shocked to find out that guy is now this old guy, it's like Edge's dad is wrestling now.  Edge will respond - Paul's talented but too much of a dick to want around, by around, really, and it's Edge who will kick him to the curb  - the words escalate until the loser leaves town stip makes sense - as Edge is the last member of that quartet of Let Them Play young boys, who cover so much of the history of WWF, the possibility that he will leave and close so much of that chapter lends a real "is this long era of WWF ending" feel to this match.  The possibility of it should feel heavy with nostalgia.  

Women's Tag:  A womens tag title is being launched at Mania, Lynch/Flair will take on the winners of this match.  During the build, Nikki Cross turns face on Liv/Bliss and joins up with Piper Niven.  

That's your show - add Jimmy v Jey and a Dragon Lee title defense in the dark matches and you've got quite a night to kick off 2023 - it's the Royal Rumble and its coming in January.  

2022 Survivor Series

the build

Survivor Series 2022 is from Boston.  It is the 36th Survivor Series and the 143rd WWF PPV.

The announcers are Michael Cole/Wade Barrett/Cory Graves.

(Dark: Twisted Sun Gods (Escobar/Garza/Carillo) d. Blood Warriors International (Ricochet/Alexander/Tozawa)

            JD McDonagh d. Tyler Bate

            Dark Ride Title: Walter d. Dragunov)

The broadcast begins the way all WWF PPVs have begun for awhile, cold open on the ring, right after Walter has vanquished another opponent - Paul Heyman is about to do his spiel saying the best fighter on the planet can only be found in Dark Ride Wrestling -- except Walter stops him, surprising Heyman, and then Walter takes his Dark Ride title belt, which he has possessed over a year and a half, and lays it on the canvas.

Speculation about what this means - and that will continue when, on the subsequent Wednesday, Dark Ride opens with a shot of the belt in the middle of the ring.

But that's for a later date.  

Clip package of past Boston PPVs.

Survivor Series '93

-Savage pulls out the fork, Razor Ramon's face turn, Bret submits Luger

Wrestlemania 14

-Michinoku Driver, Taka pins Aguila, the Outlaws put Jack/Funk in the dumpster, Mike Tyson climbing into the Octagon as the referee between Shamrock and Austin, Owen Hart holding the WWF Title aloft

2003 Royal Rumble

-the final TLC with the Hardys, Dudleys, E/C, crazy high spots, Lesnar destroying Jericho, Benoit's babyface turn on the Horsemen, Angle going nose to nose with HBK

2006 Summer Slam

-Sabu crashing through a wall of glass light tubes, Hulk Hogan posing with a tag belt, Ric Flair defeating Rey to win the WWF Title

2008 Survivor Series

-Randy Orton punting Steve Regal in a parking garage, Edge and the Blood Dragon winning the tag belts, Jericho taking the WWF Title from Punk

2011 Royal Rumble

-Mysterio getting the fall on Danielson, Edge spearing Booker T

2013 Survivor Series

-The Shield (Black/Langston) coming to the ring, Dean Ambrose pinning Kingston to keep the IC belt, Danielson in an extended sequence against Punk

1. ALEXA BLISS/NIKKI CROSS (w/Morgan) d. SHOTZI/KAI

Bliss/Morgan are mean girl heels, Cross is their lackey.  Will she ever rise up against them??  Not today, today they go over - the match mainly serves to establish the growing womens tag division.  Fair to note their are no womens tag belts.  Seems unlikely that remains true for much longer.

2. SOLO SIKOA (w/Priest) d. AUSTIN THEORY

This is a squash.  Solo eats Theory alive.  Is he the most dangerous member of the tribe?

3. IYO SKY d. ASUKA

Biggest win of Sky's WWF career, the veteran Asuka coming off injury grows increasingly frustrated during the match at Sky's fan friendly athleticism.  Sky's a step better and gets the fall - big babyface reaction for her postmatch - and Asuka turns full heel, attacks Sky postmatch, wipes her out.  It's Asuka's first heel run in WWF.

4. KEVIN STEEN d. SHEAMUS

Heavy hitting match between two guys seemingly at crossroads; Sheamus out to sea since McIntyre's betrayal, Steen having apparently given up on trying to unite a counterassault to Roman.  Steen gets the final blow here - he remains on the ramp to watch both Black and Zayn go to the ring, shaking his head in resignation as he exits.  

5. TYLER BLACK d. SAMI ZAYN

Black gets the clean fall in a back and forth matchup - postmatch, McIntyre/Lashley enter with chairs and wipe Black/Zayn out - as Steen promised, he does not return to the ring for a save.

6. BECKY LYNCH d. RHEA RIPLEY (w/Baszler) (DQ) 

More tag talk as Lynch/Flair really launched the womens tag division last year, Flair has been on hiatus since Mania but she returns here, Baszler's attempted interference draws a DQ (sometimes the referee has to catch the bad guys shenanigans) and when the Horsewomen attempt a postmatch attack, here we get a babyface save from Flair (her hair has grown out, she now looks like IRL Charlotte).  Lynch and Flair clean house and we have a brief intermision.  Walter's laying down the title belt at the top of the show is re-aired, more speculation about the meaning therein.  We are also told that as a result of McIntyre/Lashley attacking Black/Zayn they are barred from ringside during the main event.

7. IC TITLE: PRINCE DEVITT (w/McDonagh) d. PETE DUNNE (w/Bate)

Top workrate match of the night, they really need to establish the IC belt as the location for high end workrate matches, so thats the type of match they have here - Devitt keeps without incident.

8. WOMENS TITLE: BIANCA BELAIR d. RONDA ROUSEY (w/Heyman/Walter)

After Roman's Superman punch on Rousey, lot of speculation about Rousey's health, here, its important that there isn't a clownish oversell, but also important that Rousey's not quite right, it's a concussion sell, so if Rousey's just a beat off, noted by the anouncers - if Heyman is unsuccessful in communicating with her, that's all good stuff -- Belair takes the belt, which is probably a pretty heavy surprise in the building, as Rousey's only suffered one WWF defeat.  Belair becomes the 15th modern WWF Women's Champion.  Walter aids a stumbling Rousey postmatch, the anger just radiating off of him, Heyman trying to talk him down.  

9. TAG TITLES: HOLY ROMAN EMPIRE (MCINTYRE/LASHLEY) d. USOS

The Holy Roman Empire becomes the 116th WWF Tag champ, regaining the belts here - Jimmy/Jey's "why didn't Roman pick us" tension has grown to a fever pitch in the build, this match ends when Jimmy inadvertantly superkicks Jey and Jey gets pinned.  The Usos do not leave the ring together - and the following night on RAW, they will lose another match when Jey not so inadvertantly superkicks Jimmy as a receipt - swears at him and exits.  And - for the first time ever - the Usos have split.  

10. WWF TITLE: ROMAN REIGNS d. AJ STYLES

Reigns is alone - or so it would appear, late in the match, Styles is on the apron, mid ring, about to do his flying elbowsmash - when from under the ring emerges Gable, he hits him in the back of the head - Reigns then spears him through the ropes to the floor - AJ is able to survive that momentarily, but the match momentum never turns after that and eventually he goes down to defeat.  

Gable had been excised after losing the tag match to Rousey/Walter which is what led to the Reigns punch of Rousey - that's why no Gable until now, but his interference aids Reigns in this one - and so the show ends, McIntyre and Lashley are now in the ring, it's a 4 man pose, 3 with title belts, Reigns tells Boston to acknowledge him and thats the end of Survivor Series 2022.  

In a month, it's the 18th anniversary of the Counterfactual and the build to Rumble '23, there will be a reminder of last year's shared plans to wrap up the Counterfactual in IRL 2025.  See you then  

The Road to Survivor Series 2022-2

part 1

Half the card was set up last month:

WWF Title: Roman Reigns (w/HRE) v. AJ Styles

Tag Titles: The Usos v. Holy Roman Empire (McIntyre/Lashley)

Women's Title: Ronda Rousey (w/Heyman and Walter) v. Bianca Belair

Sami Zayn v. Tyler Black

Kevin Steen v. Sheamus

And here's the other half:

IC Title: Prince Devitt (w/McDonagh) v. Pete Dunne (w/Bate)

Asuka v. Iyo Sky

Becky Lynch v. Rhea Ripley (w/Baszler)

Solo Sikoa (w/Priest) v. Austin Theory

Alexa Bliss/Nikki Cross v. Dakota Kai/Shotzi

Devitt won the vacant IC belt at Summer Slam; the previous year was a closed program, Bullet Club members in various combinations fighting for the title -- Devitt says he's taking on all comers, it doesn't matter who they are, it doesn't matter where they work - he'll take on anyone who comes through that curtain (Devitt's a tweener, so that adds to the potential of his fighting anyone).

Who comes through the curtain is British Strong Style, Pete Dunne and Tyler Bate.  

They have been heels working Dark Ride following Nigel's leaving the promotion, all they can rely on is each other; they have feuded, been aligned on again/off again for years with JD McDonagh.  That history gets folded in here with McDonagh siding with Devitt which will allow a personal component to the program.  Primarily though, Devitt is a workrate guy and with Roman on top, this is the workrate belt.  

Defiance is now Priest and Solo after they punted Randy Orton into what might be a retirement; Austin Theory is enhancement with a big mouth and that match sets up to look like a massacre.

4 matches on a 10 match card are women's matches, probably the highest % in WWF history; the opening tag is less about those specific wrestlers and more about the expansion of the women's tag division - all last year, Flair/Lynch just poured through the promotion beating everyone in sight, including men when their were no more women left. After Mania, each show has had a women's tag match, that's demonstrated here at Survivor Series -- Flair has been gone since Mania, that leaves Ripley/Baszler to run roughshod; they stomped out a handful of tag acts - Lynch made a babyface save and now we're here.  

Also after Mania came a revamped Io Sky, with a new name, and a a fairly Americanized gimmick, new costume, new theme - she's a babyface who happens to be Asian as opposed to a Japanese wrestler.  Asuka, once the ace of the division, returns after a long injury recovery, she asks her former stablemate Sky to aid her in getting to 100%, within the process of their working together, Asuka grows increasingly grumpy about Sky's current persona.  An all babyface match is set up here, with that tension in place.

And that's the show.

WWF Title: Reigns v. Styles

-Roman's assault on "those non WWF guys" - continues as he looks to defend against Styles, can AJ win his record tying third WWF Title?

IC: Devitt v. Dunne

-Possible show stealing match here; the IC belt positioned as the workrate belt, for the Dark Ride fans the long Dunne/Bate/McDonagh program gets a bigger stage

Tags: Usos v. McIntyre/Lashley

-Super personal, Usos lost the tag titles to Roman's group, then regained them - tensions are increasing between the twins, each perhaps blaming the other for Roman's passing them by when he out his stable together.  Lot of pressure on McIntyre/Lashley - you do not want to let the boss down.

Women: Rousey v. Belair

-All babyface match, Rousey's health is an issue, she was concussed by a Roman spear barely a week prior, will she be 100% against a white hot Belair?

Zayn v. Black

-Former WWF champs at a crossroads, each is a former Steen partner, Kevin unable to align the 3 of them into a cohesive unit, they will go at it here.  

Lynch v. Ripley

-Another match between former WWF champs; you have to assume Baszler will be a factor as the women's tag division continues its expansion

Asuka v. Sky

-Partners, former stablemates square off in a babyface matchup, Asuka, perhaps the greatest WWF Womens Champion, returning after injury to face Sky, whom she barely recognizes in her very fan friendly, westernized new persona

Steen v. Sheamus

-Hard shots will be taken in this one; both men looking to work out frustrations and establish their place in this world now run by Reigns.  

Sikoa v. Theory

-Looks like a long (or perhaps short) night for Theory

Bliss/Cross v. Kai/Shotzi

-And an opening tag.

Here it is.

The Road to Survivor Series 2022-1

Summer Slam is here.

Survivor Series 2022 is coming November from Boston.  Here's the card.

WWF Title: Roman Reigns (w/HRE) v. AJ Styles

IC Title: Prince Devitt v. Pete Dunne (w/Bate)

Tag Titles: The Usos v. Holy Roman Empire (McIntyre/Lashley)

(note, that's not the initially advertised match)

Women's Title: Ronda Rousey (w/Heyman and Walter) v. Bianca Belair

Sami Zayn v. Tyler Black

Asuka v. Iyo Sky

Becky Lynch v. Rhea Ripley

Kevin Steen v. Sheamus

(not the initally advertised match)

Solo Sikoa (w/Priest) v. Austin Theory

Alexa Bliss/Nikki Cross v. Dakota Kai/Shotzi

Two major matches make up the key elements of the build.  

Reigns/Styles is announced the night after Summer Slam, Reigns, of course, has been talking about a group of wrestlers for years, really, at this point - the centerpiece of them being Zayn/Steen/Black/Styles, guys who were in ROH - came to WWF - became WWF Champions and have had a stranglehold on the top slots for years.  

For over a year, Steen has been working on Zayn, trying to come to some level of understanding with him to resume their relationship - post Mania, he added Black to that mix (Zayn and Steen, of course, were longtime partners; but Steen and Black were also stabled together).  And now, with Styles named the number one contender, and Styles having formerly been Black's stablemate - Steen gives it a final push, can the four of us - can the four of us find some way to put all past sins aside and join together to fight the Holy Roman Empire?  A Mania rematch for Steen against McIntyre is on the initial Survivor Series card.  

Very begrudgingly, the others agree to try one time - a 4x4 match against HRE.

It doesn't work out, there's no chemistry among the men, Black/Zayn particularly have an issue - the result is Reigns pins Steen.  That's two - Roman will say - as he beat Zayn at Mania - and Styles is next.  

This is the tearing point for Steen - he says he's done, he says the apology bag is empty for Zayn, the bottom line is he told El Generico he would never be WWF Champion, but Sami Zayn would - Zayn didn't have the guts to make that leap - so like he always has - Steen pushed him.  And it worked - and Zayn's still making Steen pay for it.  The debt's paid, the apologies are over, we go our separate ways.  

Steen walks out.  Zayn/Black gets made from there, they bicker all the way to the PPV

The Styles part of the build allows him to assert a view contrary to Roman's - Reigns, of course, has painted a picture of these indie guys waltzing in from ROH and moving to the top of the card.

Styles says that's not what happened - he spent years toiling away at TNA, had to go to the other side of the world to build enough cache to force his way into WWF.  Reigns got his slot handed to him like it was his birthright - he's a nepo baby.  

Ne-po ba-by, Ne-po ba-by.  Maybe the WWF Universe (there is no WWF Universe, that's a joke) can get behind that chant.  

The second match arises from the last moments of Summer Slam, Walter saving Lesnar from an HRE beatdown.

Reigns is the guest on Heymans Hustle, Paul's relationship with Anoia family is revealed as they let the fans come behind the curtain - Paul says he's watched Roman for years - has a lot of respect for him - Roman admits that, a time or two, Paul maybe gave him some advice.  

Paul says he even understands the attack of Lesnar, Brock's a big scalp - Reigns is trying to build his stack.  But now - now he's on Walter's radar - and the truth is..while Reigns is the WWF Champion....everyone knows that it's Walter who is the most dangerous man in combat sports in 2022.  

They set up a tag match; Roman and a partner of his choosing against Walter and a partner of his choosing.  

Walter picks Rousey.

Roman picks Gable.  Gable/Lashley is the initial duo taking on the Usos for the tag titles.

So - post Mania, another very subtle relationship that's grown is Gable and Rousey, never foregrounded, as Rousey is a babyface and Gable is a heel, but they've got a mutual interest given Rousey's shootfighting and Gable's amateur background, a couple of times, Roman should raise an eyebrow as he walks past them in the back, lets say.

This tag match comes late in the build, pentultimate Fight Night prior to Survivor Series, it's a big match, right - the WWF Champ, the Dark Ride Champ, the Women's Champ -- there should be a long build, 3 weeks maybe, Reigns puts a lot of pressure on Gable, Gable's gonna show Rousey, Gable's the HRE grappler, he's gonna tap Rousey out with some of that amateur shit. 

Or else.

The match can have plenty of Walter/Reigns, it's not a matter of needing to save it -- Rousey never gets to fight from underneath given the gimmick, so she can do some of that here, some real babyface fire - finish is her submitting Gable.  

That's Reigns's first loss in a long time, he's furious - and postmatch he knocks Rousey out with the Superman punch.  Full on coldcock -- the reaction is like he shot her, everyone freezes for a moment and he gets out of the ring with McIntyre and Lashley - Gable is trying to tend to Rousey - Heyman is fully freaking out -- Heyman screaming for medical -- screaming at Reigns -- McIntyre and Lashley yank Gable from the ring as Walter starts to advance on him.

Reigns responds to the loss by benching Gable in the go home RAW - he tells him to go home, fully dresses him down - he blew it, he didn't go hard enough at Rousey, he let his brothers down and they cannot trust him in the title match.  It's a real browbeating.   McIntyre will take his place as Lashley's partner at Survivor Series.  That's what necessitates the shift in the Steen match, Sheamus named as the replacement at the last minute.  

Rousey is concussed, does not appear on TV in the go home week, we are told she will make her title defense against Belair in a full babyface match.    That build has been mutual respect, with the idea that Belair was not quite ready in her prior attempt at the Womens Title, is she ready now.  The tag match has seen as much tension between Jimmy and Jey as they can build - Roman working both men, despite their best selves, his not picking them to be in his stable has just fractured the bond between the twins, each subtlely looking at the other for blame.  

That's what, half the card, right?  

Reigns/Styles.  

Usos v. Lashley/McIntyre.  

Does Roman keep the belt - do Lashley/McIntyre regain the tags for HRE and once again consolidate power --- or will it be a regaining of the WWF Title for Styles, showing why Best Wrestler in the World is not just a tattoo on his forearm.  

Rousey/Belair.

(and in a dark match, Walter once again defends against Dragunov)

The Dangerous Alliance title matches take place; what's Rousey's condition after being concussed barely more than a week prior?  

Zayn v. Black

Steen v. Sheamus

Steen failed in his attempt to bring his former partners together in an alliance to fight HRE - so now they fight each other; meanwhile, his rematch against McIntyre is taken away at the last minute.

Good stopping place.  Next month, the IC - 3 more Womens's matches including Asuka's return, and the PPV debut of Defiance's Solo Sikoa.  

Summer Slam 2022

The build

Summer Slam 2022 is from Nashville, It is the 35th Summer Slam and the 142nd WWF PPV.

Announcers: Michael Cole (1)

                      Wade Barrett (3)

                      Corey Graves (3)

Dark: Axiom d. Tyler Bate

          Walter d. JD McDonagh

Open on Tennessee wrestling, lot of Memphis, some NWA, followed by clips of the key wrestlers coming up tonight. 

The show proper opens as all WWF PPVs open, right at the culmination of another Walter win where Paul Heyman runs through "you won't see the most dominant wrestler alive on RAW, on Fight Night... and certainly not on Wednesdays - the only place to see Walter is Dark Ride Wrestling."

And then it cuts to the announcers.  This is the first ever WWF PPV in Tennessee and the crowd presumably is sufficiently amped.

1. NUMBER ONE CONTENDER: STREET PROFITS d. MIZ/THEORY

-The Profits won the right to fight for the Tag Ttitles at Mania -- but it's a long summer, and so the Miz, now firmly a Miz-like heel, grabs cocky young Theory from Developmental, takes him under his wing to teach him the ways of the Miz- and weasels the duo into a match at Summer Slam against the Profits - winners to advance later in the night to take on the Usos.  Profits win, Miz and Theory bicker post match.

2. BIANCA BELAIR d. LIV MORGAN

-Belair ran Banks out of WWF and she continues here with a dominant win over Morgan.  

3. DAMIAN PRIEST (w/Solo) d. DOM MYSTERIO

-Priest turned on Orton, punting him out of Defiance with aid of Solo Sikoa, whose irrtation with being asked to choose between Roman and his brothers, the Usos, manifests in his joining with Priest to form the new Defiance.  Mysterio is cannon fodder, his dad has been telling him he's not ready for this yet - and Dom's done enough so some might think Rey is being overly protective - but here, Dom maybe tries to escape the ring once when Priest's offense is too strong - maybe plays to the crowd during what might be a chance for him to get back in the match - there's some good offense, but Dom is clearly green and goes down.  

4. LOGAN PAUL d. PAT McAFEE (Drew Gulak-Special Guest Referee)

-Gulak cuts his first ever PPV promo pre-match, saying it is ridiculous that two non wrestlers are going to come out here at Summer Slam and he will be the special guest referee to make sure they don't embarrass the sport (really he's just here to make sure the match works - they want a veteran in the ring to make sure they successfully get from one spot to the next spot) - this match is really just spots, expectation will be pretty low and given the profile of the two guys (and Paul's real live talent) it likely gets a good crowd reaction.  Paul goes over - McAfee lays out Gulak postmatch to get some heat back.

Clip package of Women's Title Matches in Summer Slam History

2016: Charlotte taking the belt from Sasha

2019: Bayley keeping the belt from Ember Moon

2020: Banks taking from Asuka

2021: Ripley defends from Belair

5. WOMEN'S TITLE: RONDA ROUSEY (w/Heyman) d. BECKY LYNCH

-All babyface match here; Rousey submits Lynch, the announce frames Lynch as having a tremendous year as part of the tag with Flair, but here, just falls sort against the machine that is Ronda Rousey.

Clip package of Tag Title Matches in Summer Slam History

1988: Rougeaus keep from Demolition

1989: Rockers take from Brainbusters

1990: Orient Express take from Rude/Jannetty

1991: Road Warriors keep from Power&Glory

1992: Money Inc keeps over Road Warriors

1993: Steiner Brothers keep over Headshrinkers

1994: Luger/Bigelow keep over Headshrinkers

1995: Smoking Gunns keep over Harris Brothers

1996: Mero/Bart Gunn take the belts from Austin/Dustin

1997: Road Warriors take from Owen/Davey Boy

1998: Rock/DLo take from the New Age Outlaws (HHH/Waltman also in match)

1999: Hardys keep the belts in a DQ win over Edge/Christian

2000: TLC Edge/Christian take the belts from the Hardys, the Dudleys are also in match

2001: Dudley Boys keep belts from DDP/Kanyon and Spike/Rhyno

2002: A masked Benoit/Guerrero take from Jericho/Storm

2003: Shawn/Hunter keep the belts over Dead Men Walking

2004: Mysterio/RVD take from Flair/Batista

2005: Orton/Cena keep the belts over Bradshaw/Dinsmore

2006: Hulk Hogan/PAUL keep the belts from Booker/Conway

2007: Cade/Murdoch take the belts from the LWO

2008: Cena/Batista keep over Hunter/Edge

2009: Division One takes the belts from Dead Men Walking

2010: Young Money keeps from Dead Men Walking

2011: Empire keeps over Nitro/Miz

2012: Young Money keeps from Dead Men Walking

2013: The Shield keeps over Defiance

2014: The Shield keeps over Orton/Miz

2015: Wade Barrett/Sheamus take from The Shield

2016: Trash takes the belts from the Usos

2017: The Usos take from the Hardys

2018: Styles/Black take from The Revival

2019: Brock/Nemeth keep over Underground

2020: Street Profits keep the belts from Orton/MVP

2021: Usos take from Defiance

6. USOS d. STREET PROFITS

-This is not a great workrate card obviously, so while this is a good match, is really just to get to the postmatch angle, which is McIntyre/Lashley/Gable entering to beat down the Usos.  Usos took the belts from Lashley/Gable at Mania - Roman refused to let Gable/Lashley go near them all summer, saying the personal shame if Usos whipped them again would be too great - so when they finally get a chance, they are just rabid in attacking them (McIntyre serves the Roman  role here - once Lashley and Gable to the damage, they serve Jimmy/Jey up to Drew to hit his finisher).

Clip package of every IC title match at Summer Slam

1988: Bret keeps from Davey Boy

1989: Rude keeps from Hennig

1990: Bret keeps from Jake

1991: Bret keeps from Steamboat

1992: Savage keeps from Jacques Rougeau

1993: Michaels keeps the belt from Hennig

1994: Razor keeps the belt from Diesel

1995: First IC switch - Shawn takes from Razor in the Ladder Match

1996: Vader keeps over Cactus 

1997: Cactus keeps the belt in the Octagon from Shamrock when he gets DQ'd

1998: Austin submits Shamrock to take his belt

1999: Waltman takes Al Snow's belt, DLo also in the match

2000: Jericho takes from Guerrero in a 2 of 3 Falls

2001: Tajiri takes from Austin, Lance Storm also in match

2002: Michaels takes from RVD

2003: Tajiri takes from Mysterio

2004: Jericho takes from Guerrero, Paul London also in match

2006: Hunter keeps from Batista

2007: Orton keeps from Kendrick

2008: MVP kept his belt over Jeff Hardy

2009: Shawn Michaels wins his 5th IC title, taking from Mysterio

2010: Johnny Nitro takes the belt from Matt Sydal

2011: Sheamus kept the belt from Christian

2013: Nemeth kept the belt from Christian but then lost it to Dean Ambrose

2014: Nemeth keeps the belt in a Ladder Match over Jericho

2015: Bray Wyatt is the champ - he keeps over Cena

2016: Rusev takes the belt from El Generico

2017: Brock Lesnar retains the title over Braun Strowman

2018: The belt was vacant, like this year - and like this year Prince Devitt fought for it, he wins, defeating Cedric Alexander

2019: Ricochet keeps the title, defeating Buddy Murphy

2020: Angel Garza retains the title with a win over La Sombra

2021: AJ Styles keeps, defeating Mysterio

7. IC TITLE: PRINCE DEVITT d. REY MYSTERIO

The 80th Intercontinental Champion is Prince Devitt, its his first title belt in 3 years; Devitt's a leather jacket wearing tweener, no friends, just wrestling.  The last year has been Bullet Club only in the IC title chase - Devitt will open it up to the world.  If someone can outwrestle the Prince, come on in.  

Clip package of every WWF Championship match at Summer Slam

1988: Dynamite Kid kept his belt over Randy Savage

1989: Savage keeping the belt over Bret

1990: Mr. Perfect keeps the belt in a steel cage over Savage

1991: Davey Boy Smith took the belt from Hennig

1992: Bret keeps from Davey Boy

1993: Bret keeps again, beating Razor

1994: Owen Hart keeps the belt in a cage match win over Bret

1995: Bret is the champ again, successfully defending against Hakushi

1996: HBK retains over Owen

1997: Austin is the champ, he and Bret fought to a draw and the title is held up.

1998: Cactus takes the belt when he sets Owen on fire in a No DQ match

1999: Cactus keeps the belt and takes Austin's career.

2000: Chris Benoit keeps the belt from the Rock

2001: Kurt Angle unites the WWF and ECW belts over RVD

2002: Angle adds the NWA title by defeating Mysterio

2003: The vacant WWF title won by Eddy Guerrero, defeating Brock Lesnar

2004: Benoit kept his belt in a 2 of 3 falls match over Angle

2005: Another 2 of 3 falls match, Mysterio taking the belt from Guerrero

2006: Mysterio drops the belt to Ric Flair.  Woooooooo.

2007: Mysterio regains, defeating Booker T

2008: CM Punk is WWF Champion and he keeps over Matt Hardy

2009: Chris Jericho is WWF Champion and he keeps over MVP

2010: Edge is WWF Champion and he keeps over Jack Swagger

2011: Nick Nemeth keeps the belt over Rey

2012: Bryan Danielson retains his title from Sheamus

2013: Danielson regains the title, defeating Lesnar

2014: Claudio Castagnoli keeps the title, over Bray Wyatt

2015: Kevin Steen takes the belt from Lesnar

2016: AJ Styles keeps from Steen

2017: Samoa Joe wins the belt from Styles

2018: Shinsuke Nakamura keeps from Joe

2019: Tyler Black successfully retains over Kingston

2020: Black keeps the belt again, over McIntyre

2021: Matt Riddle keeps from Edge

8. ROMAN REIGNS (w/HOLY ROMAN EMPIRE) d. BROCK LESNAR

-HRE uses their numbers to distract the official to allow for outside interference - Lesnar, of course, is alone - he fights them all off - but eventually Reigns overcomes him.  Postmatch, a real beatdown - Lesnar gets bloodied up, the Usos, attacked after their match, now return - they're met on the ramp by the rest of the HRE -- they fight to the back -- Lesnar is laid out - Reigns continues his assault -- when onto the ramp emerges...

...Paul Heyman.

Heyman, of course, was Lesnar's longstanding manager, his concern is evident -- Reigns continues to punish a defenseless Brock - Heyman disappears....and then re-emerges....

....with Walter.

And Walter marches to the ring -- Reigns sees him now -- Reigns sells this - Walter is on a monster run in Dark Ride (he's lost one WWF match - to Lesnar) -- Walter comes to the ring -- Heyman behind -- Walter and Reigns go nose to nose -- Walter and Reigns go nose to nose as the show ends.

And that's Summer Slam.

Next month, we start the build to Survivor Series 2022, the main event, Reigns defending against AJ Styles.

The Road to Summer Slam 2022

Wrestlemania 38

The new wrestling year is upon us - the 142nd WWF PPV, Summer Slam '22, is coming up in August from Nashville.

We have an announcer shakeup - veteran backup announcer Michael Cole takes over all three shows, he will work RAW with Corey Graves, Fight Night with Wade Barrett and Dark Ride with Xavier Woods.  Woods also does a second screen telecast with the other two shows for the WWF twitch stream.

Here's the Summer Slam card.

WWF Title: Roman Reigns (w/Holy Roman Empire) v. Brock Lesnar

IC Title (vacant): Rey Mysterio v. Prince Devitt

Tags: Usos v. 

Womens Title: Ronda Rousey (w/Dangerous Alliance) v. Becky Lynch

Damien Priest (w/Solo) v. Dominic Mysterio 

Logan Paul v. Pat McAfee

Bianca Belair v. Liv Morgan

Winners Get Title Shot: Street Profits v. Miz/Austin Theory

What you want to understand is the argument that Roman has been making - after a 40 year battle, in the early 21st century, there was peace in the wrestling land - the WWF had vanquished its competition, Kurt Angle defeated Rob Van Dam and Rey Mysterio to unify the World Titles of WWF/ECW/NWA.

From the dirt arose a bingo hall indie, Ring of Honor, and WWF didn't kill it in the crib - instead, they allowed infiltration - CM Punk arrived, creating GDI as a sleeper cell, desecrating the WWF Title at Surivor Series '06, and then a series of ROH wrestlers would follow - Danielson/Claudio/Styles/Joe/Black/Steen/Zayn, all winning the WWF Title - grabbing a stranglehold on the top of the card for years while "home grown talent" - like the Usos/Hooligans/New Day spun their wheels in the middle.  

And then - AEW launched.  Direct competition to WWF using the same types of ROH wrestlers who had infiltrated WWF - and then they filled out their ranks with many of those very same wrestlers who had taken up temporary residence in the WWF - and wouldn't you know it - AEW then buys ROH (this is a story Reigns has been telling, piece by piece, for a couple of years - so as events warrant, like the ROH purchase, for example, it adds to Reigns's case).

Reigns starts ringing the warning bell - telling those other stables in the middle they need to get on his level, he's going to be the head of the table - he will be leading the WWF in wartime - who better, as a legacy, as a member of the Anoa'i family - he's WWF born and bred.  

He goes on a run, winning over and over - talking more and more - demanding acknowledgement, he ended Jeff Hardy's WWF career, he forced the break up of the New Day - and he took the heart out of his rivals, McIntyre from the Hooligans, Lashley and Gable from Shoot Nation, all of whom, note were developed in the WWF.  

He beats Zayn at Mania, takes the title, able to make the argument that he has consistently been proven right.  Acknowledge him.

One could imagine there are fans who will - it's a compelling case.

Now, Reigns is a heel - and the way he psychologically dominates the Holy Roman Empire is the evidence of that (he's got a system where if they receive a text, they have to text back within one minute or face some type of physical punishment; he divides the other 3 men, Lashley and Gable lost the tag belts to the Usos at Mania, whereas McIntyre beat Steen; so McIntyre becomes the right hand man, receiving special treatment, and eventually embraces the role as enforcer of Roman's rules - Lashley and Gable are browbeaten - they are not allowed to get a rematch against the Usos, it would be too shameful if they lost again - they don't even get to pursue the Usos physically at all, Roman's embarrassed, here are his former family members walking around with title belts where his chosen family, the HRE, is without gold...other than his, of course). 

Roman is sparse with praise - but the members of HRE grow dependent on it - trying to please him (at some point they get branded, I think, HRE, to show their lifelong committment).  Roman and the HRE are the hub of much of the action throughout the promotion - Steen/Black/Zayn are not working Summer Slam so not integral here, but Steen sees which way this wind is blowing and begins trying to bring them together.  It is not successful.   The Usos primary discussion point is Roman's leaving them behind, as Sheamus is with McIntyre, and the night after Mania brings the debut of Solo, brother of the Usos, cousin of Roman, and much of the summer is speculation about which side, Usos or HRE, he will join as he is dominant - squash match after squash match.  

Brock/Roman is announced the night after RAW, but there is no Brock, of course - HRE spends much of the summer feuding with.....Defiance?

The main event segment on that RAW is Cody's return.  

Cody cuts in ring promo - he makes clear he is not invading, he's coming home, he talks about Dusty, talks about coming up through developmental, talks about the Undertaker taking him under his wind - talks about winning the tag titles, says he wanted more - says he risked his whole career - and it paid off and now a wrestling promotion that he started is flourishing.  

But it was time to come home - he sets up that while he won the right to be the leader of a new WWF Bullet Club (if you missed Mania, Cody is the IC Champ) he isn't here to be part of a stable, he's here to blaze his own trail.

And that leads Roman and his group to come to the ring.  The WWF Champ and IC Champ go face to face - Roman, of course, believes that Cody is AEW - it's everything he's been talking about for two years, where's MJF, is MJF right behind you?

Roman challenges Cody to a 4 x 4 for next week - go get whomever you want - bring whomever you want.  

It's a little bait and switchy, sure - but Cody will have a taped piece on Fight Night making it clear he has no one to bring, he will be coming alone and he will fight all 4 of HRE.

Main event of RAW - here's HRE, here's Cody -- he clearly believes it is 1 on 4 -- but who enters to have his back is his old partner, Randy Orton, along with Priest/Crews.  It's Defiance, the stable created by Orton to "defy" Dusty Rhodes when he was the commissioner of the WWF version of the NWA during the brand split.  Cody would then join Defiance and he and Orton would win the tag titles.  

Cody and Defiance wins that match - Cody pinning Gable, and in multiple combinations, that 4 on 4 feud drives through the summer.  Cody/Gable have banger singles matches (think IRL Cody/Rollins from the same time) and it allows Orton to get some high profile matches v Reigns (Cody/Roman kept apart, teasing, not fighting). 

First casualty is Crews - HRE takes him out, that takes Crews off the canvas (pun intended) he won't be seen the remainder of the wrestling year.  Defiance gets the worse end of this feud - Priest grows in his dissatisfaction "why are we fighting these guys - Rhodes isn't Defiance" - Orton bristles, "Rhodes used to be you - you'd want someone to have your back - and how about not questioning my leadership".

Cody, of course, gets injured, beats Gable in the cage with the torn pec - and then does a full stretcher job the next night when Roman takes advantage of his weakened state and lays him out.  Cody is forced to vacate the IC - so what had been advertised over the summer as Cody defending against Rey at Summer Slam (Rey won the shot at WM) becomes Rey v. Devitt (who had a future IC shot promised when injuries took him out of WM). Both former IC Champs, it's legendary babyface Rey vs cool tweener Devitt.  In the build for the Cody match that never happened, Rey said this was his final singles title shot (Rey also expressed a little bit of doubt about Cody, Rey runs the locker room, IRL Undertaker style, and he doesn't exactly endorse Roman's theory about Cody, but also doesn't embrace him either) that his day as a top wrestler was nearing a close, and he was going to pour all he had into taking that IC belt from Rhodes.  Devitt spent a year chasing the IC in the feud of ex Bullet Club members and says his taste for gold has never been more acute.   

Orton/Priest tension appears to be coming to a head, something has to give - our assumption is Orton will do what Orton does and leave Priest laying with a boot to the head - but he does not, Orton  says the old him would have done that - but he's left some wreckage in past relationships, seeing Cody return after these years away suggests that maybe there's a different way to handle conflict.  Orton extends a hand - Priest hugs him - and then into the ring....comes Solo Sikoa.  

Solo and Priest then kill Orton dead (this is probably the go home RAW for Summer Slam) Orton is stretchered out - Damien Priest and Solo Sikoa are the new Defiance.  

Priest takes on young masked Dominic at Summer Slam.

Once Cody's gone and the Defiance program ends - as we draw close to Summer Slam its time for the return of Lesnar, he beat Riddle in the Octagon at Mania and earns this shot.  Lesnar returns for the contract signing - he doesn't know who Roman is - he does know Lashley/Gable, they were stablemates in Shoot Nation once upon a time, he says Kurt would be disappointed they got stuck carrying someone else's bags, but whatever.  

Reigns says at the end of Summer Slam, Lesnar will acknowledge him - Brock no sells that idea entirely - Brock offers zero respect to Reigns here, and nothing boils Roman more than that.  

The Usos won their 4th WWF tag titles, they have a claim as the greatest tag team of all time - but they are not happy (Jey mad, Jimmy sad) as Roman turned his back on them.  At some point, probably the Survivor Series build, that becomes front burnered, with Reigns looking to drive a wedge between them, going to each man "I would have picked you...but your brother holds you back" - sure, you'd think "the Usos will understand they are getting played" -- but Roman's good at this, and you can start seeing a little more daylight between Jimmy and Jey.  

But right now - they are preparing for the Profits - or were, the Profits won the title shot at Mania, but voluntarily relinquish it - Miz is now fully douchy IRL Miz once again, he goes to developmental and plucks a protegee, Austin Theory, looking to make him a mini-Miz.  Miz is able to weasel the Profits into putting up their title shot to open Summer Slam - winners to face the Usos later in the night.

Rousey is the Womens Champ, Walter the Dark Ride Champ, with Heyman as their moutpiece they are the Dangerous Alliance - Lynch and Flair teamed together all year in dominant fashion - and with Charlotte stepping away for the summer - Lynch stands alone in this all babyface matchup for the Women's Title.  Walter, meanwhile, will be defending against JD McDonaugh in the pre-show.  

Bianca Belair has seemingly run the only two time women's champ, Sasha Banks, out of the promotion - and she looks to continue her babyface run against a bratty heel, Liv Morgan.  

Finally - Pat McAfee turned face at Mania following he and Logan Paul losing to Lynch/Flair - he keeps that energy going through the vehicle of his radio show, he has WWF guests on, he puts the promotion over, just to stay in that universe.  Meanwhile, throughout the summer Paul attempts to clown McAfee through social media - on as many platforms as is possible, just attacking McAfee as soft in as many ways as he can - eventually they both appear on the Heyman Hustle, which Heyman does...maybe quarterly at this point.  That quickly turns physical - McAfee gets color - and they set up the match for Summer Slam.

And there you go.

Reigns defends his title against Lesnar, Brock looking to tie the record with 3 WWF Championship reigns.

Devitt and Mysterio try to regain the IC belt, lying vacant after the injury related abdication just a few weeks prior by Rhodes.  

The 4 time tag champ Usos, the most for any non stable, will either be defending against the Street Profits or Miz/Theory.  

Rousey, with Heyman and Walter in her corner, defending against the former champion Lynch.

We get a Damien Priest match, he'll be seconded by Solo Sikoa, the two men forming the new Defiance.  We get a Bianca Belair match - and a celebrity showdown, Logan Paul v Pat McAfee.

Summer Slam 2020 coming next month.  It's gonna be a happening.

Every Main Event.

No double main events, not unannounced last match on the card - the promoted "match that sold the show" main event.  Star ratings included as are main event participant totals.  

1. Wrestlemania I     1985      WWF Title     Ricky Steamboat d. Barry Windham (4 1/4)

2. Wrestlemania II    1986      WWF Title    Dynamite Kid d. Ricky Steamboat (switch) (4 3/4)

3. Wrestlemania III   1987      WWF Title    Ricky Steamboat d. Dynamite Kid (switch) (4 1/4)

4. Survivor Series     1987      WWF Title   Ricky Steamboat d. Dynamite Kid (4 1/4)

5. Wrestlemania IV   1988      WWF Title:  Loser Leaves Town: Dynamite Kid d. Ricky Steamboat (switch) (3 1/2)

6. Summer Slam       1988      WWF Title:  Dynamite Kid d. Randy Savage (4)

7. Survivor Series     1988      WWF Title: Randy Savage d. Dynamite Kid (switch) (3)

8. Royal Rumble       1989      WWF Title: Randy Savage d. Ted DiBiase (3 3/4)

9. Wrestlemania V    1989      WWF Title: Randy Savage d. Bret Hart (4 1/2)

10. Summer Slam     1989      WWF Title: Randy Savage d. Bret Hart (4 1/2)

11. Survivor Series   1989      WWF Title: Mr. Perfect d. Randy Savage (switch) (4 1/4)

12. Royal Rumble    1990       WWF Title: Mr. Perfect d. Rick Rude (4 1/4)

13. Wrestlemania VI  1990      WWF Title: Mr. Perfect d. Randy Savage (4 1/4)

14. Summer Slam     1990       WWF Title: Cage Match: Mr. Perfect d. Randy Savage (3 3/4)

15. Survivor Series   1990       WWF Title: Mr. Perfect d. Kerry Von Erich (3 1/2)

16. Royal Rumble    1991       WWF Title: Mr. Perfect d. Ted DiBiase (3 1/2)

17. Wrestlemania VII  1991    WWF Title: Mr. Perfect d. Randy Savage (4 1/2)

18. Summer Slam     1991      WWF Title: British Bulldog d. Mr. Perfect (switch) (4)

19. Survivor Series   1991       WWF Title: Ric Flair d. British Bulldog (switch) (4)

20. Royal Rumble     1992      WWF Title: Ric Flair d. British Bulldog ( 3 3/4)

21. Wrestlemania VIII  1992   WWF Title: Bret Hart d. Ric Flair (switch) (4)

22. Summer Slam     1992       WWF Title: Bret Hart d. British Bulldog (4 3/4)

23. Survivor Series   1992       WWF Title: Submission Match: Bret Hart d. Ric Flair (4 1/4)

24. Royal Rumble    1993       WWF Title: Bret Hart d. Tenryu ( 4 1/4)

25. Wrestlemania IX  1993     WWF Title: Bret Hart d. Razor Ramon (4)

26. Summer Slam     1993       WWF Title: Bret Hart d. Razor Ramon (4)

27. Survivor Series   1993       WWF Title: Bret Hart d. Lex Luger (3 1/2)

28. Royal Rumble    1994        WWF Title: Bret Hart d. Undertaker (4)

29. Wrestlemania X  1994        WWF Title: Owen Hart d. Bret Hart (switch) (5 stars)

30. Summer Slam     1994       WWF Title: Cage Match: Owen Hart d. Bret Hart (4 3/4)

31. Survivor Series   1994       WWF Title: Shawn Michaels d. Owen Hart (switch) (4 3/4)

32. Royal Rumble    1995        WWF Title: No DQ: Shawn Michaels d. Diesel (4 1/2)

33. Wrestlemania 11  1995       WWF Title: Bret Hart d. Shawn Michaels (switch) (5 stars)

34. Summer Slam     1995       WWF Title: Bret Hart d. Hakushi (4)

35. Survivor Series    1995      WWF Title: Bret Hart d. British Bulldog (4 1/2)

36. Royal Rumble     1996       WWF Title: Bret Hart d. Owen Hart (5 stars)

37. Wrestlemania 12  1996       WWF Title: Iron Man Match: Shawn Michaels d. Bret Hart (switch) (4 1/2) 

38. Summer Slam      1996       WWF Title: Shawn Michaels d. Owen Hart (4 1/2)

39. Survivor Series    1996       WWF Title: Bret Hart d. Shawn Michaels (switch) (4 1/2)

40. Royal Rumble     1997       WWF Title: Lumberjack Match: Bret Hart d. Shawn Michaels (5 stars)

41. Wrestlemania 13  1997       WWF Title: Steve Austin d. Bret Hart (switch) (4 1/2)

42. Summer Slam      1997        WWF Title: Steve Austin Draw Bret Hart ( 3 1/4)

43. Survivor Series    1997       WWF Title: Montreal Match: Owen Hart d. Bret Hart/Shawn Michaels/Steve Austin   (4 3/4)

44. Royal Rumble      1998       WWF Title: Owen Hart d. Steve Austin (switch) (4 3/4)

45. Wrestlemania 14   1998       WWF Title: Owen Hart d. Shawn Michaels (3 3/4)

46. Summer Slam      1998        WWF Title: No DQ: Cactus Jack d. Owen Hart (switch) (4 3/4)

47. Survivor Series    1998        WWF Title: Hell in a Cell: Cactus Jack d. Ken Shamrock ( 4 1/4)

48. Royal Rumble      1999       WWF Title: Barbed Wire Match: Owen Hart d. Cactus Jack (switch) (4 1/2)

49. Wrestlemania 15   1999       WWF Title: Pure Wrestling Match: Cactus Jack d. Owen Hart (switch) (3 3/4)

50. Summer Slam       1999       WWF Title: Career v. Career: Cactus Jack d. Steve Austin (4 1/2)

51. Survivor Series     1999       WWF Title: Cactus Jack d. HHH/Rock  (4)

52. Royal Rumble      2000        WWF Title: Cactus Jack d. Taz (4 1/4)

53. Wrestlemania 16   2000       WWF Title: Chris Benoit d. Cactus Jack (switch) (4 1/2)

54. Summer Slam      2000        WWF Title: Chris Benoit d. The Rock (4 1/4)

55. Survivor Series    2000        WWF Title: Chris Benoit d. Steve Austin  (4 3/4)

56. Royal Rumble      2001         WWF Title: Chris Benoit d. Chris Jericho (5 stars)

57. Wrestlemania 17   2001       WWF Title: Kurt Angle d. Chris Benoit (switch) (5 stars)

58. Summer Slam      2001         WWF/ECW Title: Kurt Angle d. RVD (4 1/4)

59. Survivor Series    2001         WWF/ECW Title: Kurt Angle d. Booker T (4)

60. Royal Rumble      2002        WWF/ECW Title: Kurt Angle d. Ric Flair (3)

61. Wrestlemania 18   2002       WWF/ECW Title: Kurt Angle d. Mr. Perfect (3 3/4)

62. Summer Slam      2002        WWF/ECW/NWA Title: Kurt Angle d. Rey Mysterio (4 1/2)

63. Survivor Series    2002        Undisputed Title: Kurt Angle d. Chris Jericho (4 1/4)

64. Royal Rumble     2003          Undisputed Title: Kurt Angle d. Shawn Michaels (4 1/2)

65. Wrestlemania 19  2003        Undisputed Title: Kurt Angle d. Brock Lesnar (title vacated) (4 1/4)

66. Summer Slam     2003         Undisputed Title: Eddy Guerrero d. Brock Lesnar ( 4 1/4)

67. Survivor Series    2003        Undisputed Title: Eddy Guerrero d. Brock Lesnar/Chris Benoit/Kurt Angle (4 1/2)

68. Royal Rumble     2004          Undisputed Title: Kurt Angle d. Eddy Guerrero (switch) ( 4 1/4)

69. Wrestlemania 20   2004       Undisputed Title: Chris Benoit d. Kurt Angle (switch) (5 stars)

70. Summer Slam      2004         Undisputed Title: 2 of 3 Falls: Chris Benoit d. Kurt Angle ( 4 3/4)

71. Survivor Series    2004         Undisputed Title: Chris Benoit draw Eddy Guerrero (4 1/4)

72. Royal Rumble     2005          Undisputed Title: Chris Benoit d. Shawn Michaels ( 4 1/2)

73. Wrestlemania 21  2005         Undisputed Title: Iron Man Match: Eddy Guerrero d. Chris Benoit (4 3/4)

74. Summer Slam      2005         Unsanctioned Match: Edge d. Matt Hardy ( 3 3/4)

75. Survivor Series   2005          Undisputed Title: Rey Mysterio d. Juventud Guerrero (4 1/4)

76. Royal Rumble      2006         Undisputed Title: Rey Mysterio d. Super Crazy/Psychosis ( 4 1/4)

77. Wrestlemania 22  2006         Undisputed Title: Rey Mysterio d. Chris Benoit (4 1/2)

78. Summer Slam     2006          Undisputed Title: Ric Flair d. Rey Mysterio (3)

79. Survivor Series   2006          Undisputed Title: CM Punk d. Ric Flair (3)

80. Royal Rumble     2007          ECW Title: CM Punk d. Matt Hardy ( 3 3/4)

81. Wrestlemania 23  2007        Hell in a Cell: Matt Hardy d. Edge (4) 

82. Summer Slam     2007         ECW Title: CM Punk d. Paul London (4 1/4)

83. Survivor Series   2007          NWA Title: Johnny Nitro d. Fit Finlay (switch) (4)

84. Royal Rumble    2008         WWF Title: Shelton Benjamin d. Rey Mysterio (switch) ( 3 3/4)

85. Wrestlemania 24  2008         Undisputed Title: TLC: CM Punk d. Nitro/Benjamin (4 1/4)

86. Summer Slam     2008          WWF Title: CM Punk d. Matt Hardy ( 3 1/2)

87. Survivor Series 2008           WWF Title: Chris Jericho d. CM Punk (switch) (4 1/4)

88. Royal Rumble    2009          WWF Title: Chris Jericho d. HHH-M (4)

89. Wrestlemania Silver 2009    WWF Title: Chris Jericho d. Shawn Michaels (4 1/2)

90. Summer Slam    2009           WWF Title: Chris Jericho d. MVP ( 3 3/4)

91. Survivor Series  2009           WWF Title: Chris Jericho d. Chavo Guerrero (3 1/2)

92. Royal Rumble   2010           Cage Match: Christian d. CM Punk ( 4 1/2)

93. Wrestlemania 26  2010        Edge/Matt Hardy d. CM Punk/Christian (4 1/4)

94. Summer Slam    2010          WWF Title: Edge d. Chris Jericho (switch) (4 1/4)

95. Survivor Series  2010          WWF Title: Edge d. Jack Swagger (3 1/2)

96. Royal Rumble   2011          WWF Title: Edge d. Booker T (3)

97. Wrestlemania 27 2011         WWF Title: CM Punk d. Edge (switch) (4 1/4)

98. Summer Slam   2011           WWF Title: Nick Nemeth d. Rey Mysterio (4)

99. Survivor Series 2011           WWF Title: Nick Nemeth d. Mistico (4)

100. WWF 100 Royal Rumble  2012   WWF Title: Bryan Danielson d. Nick Nemeth (switch) (4 1/4)

101. Wrestlemania 28 2012       WWF Title: Bryan Danielson d. Chris Jericho (4 1/4)

102. Summer Slam  2012           WWF Title: Bryan Danielson d. Sheamus (4)

103. Survivor Series  2012         WWF Title: Bryan Danielson d. Rey Mysterio (4)

104. Royal Rumble 2013           WWF Title: Bryan Danielson d. Dos Caras, Jr. (4)

105. Wrestlemania 29  2013       WWF Title: Brock Lesnar d. Bryan Danielson (switch) (4 1/2)

106. Summer Slam 2013            WWF Title: Cage Match: Bryan Danielson d. Brock Lesnar (5 stars)

107. Survivor Series 2013          WWF Title: Bryan Danielson draw CM Punk (3 3/4)

108. Royal Rumble 2014           WWF Title: Montreal Match: Bryan Danielson d. CM Punk/Lesnar/Swagger ( 4 3/4)

109. Wrestlemania 30 2014       WWF Title: Claudio Castagnoli d. Bryan Danielson (switch) (5 stars)

110. Summer Slam 2014            WWF Title: Claudio Castagnoli d. Bray Wyatt (4)

111. Survivor Series 2014          WWF Title: No DQ: Claudio Castagnoli d. Bray Wyatt (4)

112. Royal Rumble 2015            WWF Title: Brock Lesnar d. Claudio Castagnoli (switch) (4 1/2)

113. Wrestlemania 31 2015        WWF Title: No DQ: Brock Lesnar d. Claudio Castagnoli (4 1/2)

114. Summer Slam 2015            WWF Title: Kevin Steen d. Brock Lesnar (switch) (4)

115. Survivor Series 2015          WWF Title: Kevin Steen d. Nick Nemeth (3 3/4)

116. Royal Rumble 2016            WWF Title: Brock Lesnar d. Kevin Steen/Nick Nemeth (countout, title held up) (3 1/4)

117. Wrestlemania 32 2016        WWF Title: Elimination Chamber: AJ Styles d. Steen/Nemeth/Ambrose/Lesnar/Kalisto   (4 1/4)

118. Summer Slam 2016            WWF Title: AJ Styles d. Kevin Steen (4 1/4)

119. Survivor Series 2016          Survivor Series Final: AJ Styles d. Luke Harper (4)

120. Royal Rumble 2017           WWF Title: Cage Match: AJ Styles d. Luke Harper (4 1/4)

121. Wrestlemania 33 2017        WWF Title: AJ Styles d. Austin Aries (4 1/4)

122. Summer Slam 2017            WWF Title: Samoa Joe d. AJ Styles (switch) (4 1/4)

123. Survivor Series 2017          WWF Title: Samoa Joe no contest AJ Styles/Prince Devitt (title held up)  (3 3/4)

124. Royal Rumble 2018           WWF Title: Royal Rumble Warfare (Winner-Shinsuke Nakamura) (4)

125. Wrestlemania 34  2018       Title v. Title: Shinsuke Nakamura d. Brock Lesnar (3 3/4)

126. Summer Slam  2018           WWF Title: Shinsuke Nakamura d. Samoa Joe (4)

127. Survivor Series 2018          WWF Title: Shinsuke Nakamura d. Claudio Castagnoli (4 1/4)

128. Royal Rumble 2019           WWF Title: Shinsuke Nakamura d. Kenta (4 1/2)

129. Wrestlemania 35 2019        WWF Title: AJ Styles d. Shinsuke Nakamura (switch) (4 1/2)

130. Summer Slam 2019             WWF Title: Tyler Black d. Kingston (4)

131. Survivor Series 2019          WWF Title: Tyler Black d. Shinsuke Nakamura (4)

132. Royal Rumble 2020           WWF Title: Tyler Black d. Shinsuke Nakamura/Samoa Joe (4)

133. Wrestlemania 36 2020        WWF Title: Tyler Black d. Brock Lesnar (4)

134. Summer Slam 2020             WWF Title: Tyler Black d. Drew McIntyre (4)

135. Survivor Series 2020           WWF Title: Ricochet d. Tyler Black (switch) (4 1/2)

136. Royal Rumble 2021            WWF Title: Bryan Danielson d. Ricochet (switch) (4 3/4)

137. Wrestlemania 37 2021         Hell in a Cell: Sami Zayn d. Kevin Steen (4 3/4)

138. Summer Slam 2021             WWF Title: Carnage Match: Matt Riddle d. Edge (4 1/2)

139. Survivor Series 2021           WWF Title: Sami Zayn d. Matt Riddle (switch) (4 1/2)

140. Royal Rumble 2022            WWF Title: Sami Zayn d. Kevin Steen ( 4 3/4)

141. Wrestlemania 38 2022        WWF Title: Roman Reigns d. Sami Zayn (switch) (4)

142. Summer Slam  2022

143. Survivor Series 2022

144. Royal Rumble 2023

145. Wrestlemania 39 2023

146. Summer Slam 2023

147. Survivor Series 2023

148. Royal Rumble 2024

149. Wrestlemania 40 2024

150. WWF 150 Summer Slam 2024

(the end)

Total (5+)

Bret - 22

Angle - 13

Benoit - 12

Brock - 11

Owen - 11

Punk -11

Danielson - 11

Shawn - 10

Styles - 9

Savage - 9

Jericho - 9

Hennig - 9

Nakamura - 8

Rey - 8

Flair - 7

Steen - 7

Cactus - 7

Black - 7

Austin - 6

Claudio - 6

Nemeth - 6

Dynamite - 6

Edge - 6

Steamboat - 5         

Davey 5

Eddy - 5

Matt - 5

Every Major American Promotion's World Title Switch (1986-2016)

Why does this stop in 2016? I actually drafted this 6 years ago, waiting for a month when I needed to space fill. This is that month.  

Non Counterfactual switches in bold.

WWF
NWA
ECW
TNA
ROH
PWG

1986

Wrestlemania 2: WWF Title: Dynamite Kid d. Ricky Steamboat 

1987

Wrestlemania 3: WWF Title: Ricky Steamboat d. Dynamite Kid 

Starrcade: NWA Title: Steve Williams d. Ric Flair 

1988

Wrestlemania 4: WWF Title: Loser Leaves Town: Dynamite Kid d. Ricky Steamboat

Survivor Series: WWF Title: Randy Savage (w/ Liz) d. Dynamite Kid 

Starrcade: NWA Title: Ric Flair d. Steve Williams 

1989

Survivor Series: WWF Title: Curt Hennig d. Randy Savage (Liz)

1990
Starrcade: NWA Title: Sting d. Ric Flair

1991
Summer Slam: WWF Title: Davey Boy Smith d. Curt Hennig (w/Bobby)
Survivor Series: WWF Title: Ric Flair (w/Hennig) d. Davey Boy Smith
Starrcade: NWA Title: Jushin Thunder Liger d. Sting

1992
Superbrawl: NWA Title: Brian Pillman d. Jushin Liger
Wrestlemania 8: WWF Title: Bret Hart d. Ric Flair (w/Hennig)
Great American Bash: NWA Title: Ricky Steamboat d. Brian Pillman
Starrcade: NWA Title: Vader d. Ricky Steamboat

1993
Fall Brawl: NWA Title: Ric Flair d. Vader

1994
Wrestlemania 10: WWF Title: Owen Hart d. Bret Hart
Slamboree: NWA Title: Terry Funk d. Ric Flair
Fall Brawl: NWA Title: Vader d. Terry Funk
Survivor Series: WWF Title: Shawn Michaels (w/Diesel) d. Owen Hart (w/ Bulldog)

1995
Superbrawl: NWA Title: Sting d. Vader
Wrestlemania 11: WWF Title: Bret Hart d. Shawn Michaels

1996
Wrestlemania 12: WWF Title: Iron Man Match: Shawn Michaels d. Bret Hart
Slamboree: NWA Title: Chris Benoit d. Sting
November to Remember: ECW Title: Shane Douglas d. Sabu
Survivor Series: WWF Title: Bret Hart (w/Anvil and Pillman) d. Shawn Michaels

1997
Barely Legal: ECW Title: Terry Funk d. Shane Douglas
Wrestlemania 13: WWF Title: Steve Austin (w/Pillman) d. Bret Hart
Slamboree: NWA Title: Dean Malenko d. Chris Benoit
Hardcore Heaven: ECW Title: Shane Douglas d. Terry Funk
November to Remember: ECW Title: Taz d. Shane Douglas
Survivor Series: WWF Title: Loser of the Fall Leaves Town: Owen Hart d. Bret Hart d. Shawn Michaels d. Steve Austin
Starrcade: NWA Title: Chris Benoit d. Dean Malenko

1998
Slamboree: NWA Title: Chris Jericho d. Chris Benoit
Summer Slam: WWF Title: No DQ: Cactus Jack d. Owen Hart
Starrcade: NWA Title: Eddy Guerrero d. Chris Jericho

1999
Royal Rumble: WWF Title: Barbed Wire Match: Owen Hart d. Cactus Jack
Superbrawl: WWF Title: Barbed Wire Match: Owen Hart d. Cactus Jack
Wrestlemania 15: WWF Title: Pure Wrestling Match: Cactus Jack d. Owen Hart
Hardcore Heaven: ECW Title: Tajiri d. Taz
Fall Brawl: NWA Title: Shane Douglas d. Chris Benoit
November to Remember: ECW Title: Masato Tanaka d. Tajiri
Starrcade: NWA Title: Jeff Jarrett d. Shane Douglas

2000
Superbrawl: NWA Title: Ric Flair d. Jeff Jarrett
Wrestlemania 16: WWF Title: Chris Benoit d. Cactus Jack
Slamboree: NWA Title: Shane Douglas d. Ric Flair
Hardcore Heaven: ECW Title: Rob Van Dam d. Masato Tanaka
Heatwave: ECW Title: Jerry Lynn d. Rob Van Dam
Fall Brawl: NWA Title: Rey Mysterio d. Shane Douglas

2001
Guilty as Charged: ECW Title: Rob Van Dam d. Jerry Lynn
Wrestlemania 17: WWF Title: Kurt Angle d. Chris Benoit

2002
Crowning a Champion: ROH Title: Low Ki d. Christopher Daniels/Spanky/Doug Williams 
The First Show: TNA Title: Low Ki d. AJ Styles
Unscripted: ROH Title: Xavier d. Low Ki


2003
The 31st Show: TNA Title: Paul London d. Low Ki
Night of Champions: ROH Title: Samoa Joe d. Xavier
First Anniversary Show: TNA Title: AJ Styles d. Paul London
Summer Slam: Undisputed Championship: Eddy Guerrero d. Brock Lesnar
Bad Ass Mother 3000: PWG Title: Frankie Kazarian d. Joey Ryan

2004
Royal Rumble: Undisputed Championship: Kurt Angle d. Eddy Guerrero
Taste the Radness:  PWG Title: Adam Pearce d. Frankie Kazarian
Wrestlemania 20: Undisputed Championship: Chris Benoit d. Kurt Angle
The Reason for the Season: PWG Title: Frankie Kazarian d. Adam Pearce
Free Admission: PWG Title: Super Dragon d. Frankie Kazarian
Final Battle: ROH Title: Austin Aries d. Samoa Joe

2005
Final Resolution: TNA Title: Chris Daniels d. AJ Styles
All Star Weekend: PWG Title: AJ Styles d. Super Dragon
Wrestlemania 21: Undisputed Championship: Iron Man Match: Eddy Guerrero d. Chris Benoit (Dean, guest ref)
Death Before Dishonor: ROH Title: CM Punk d. Austin Aries
Redemption: ROH Title: James Gibson d. CM Punk/Samoa Joe/Chris Daniels
Summer Slam: Undisputed Championship: Rey Mysterio d. Eddy Guerrero
Zombies Shouldn't Run: PWG Title: Kevin Steen d. AJ Styles
Slammiversary: TNA Title: AJ Styles d. Chris Daniels
Glory by Honor: ROH Title: Bryan Danielson d. James Gibson
Turning Point: TNA Title: Samoa Joe d. AJ Styles
Chanukah Chaos: PWG Title: Joey Ryan d. Kevin Steen

2006
Summer Slam: Undisputed Championship: Ric Flair d. Rey Mysterio
Survivor Series: Undisputed Championship: CM Punk (w/Maria) d. Ric Flair
Final Battle: ROH Title: Homicide d. Bryan Danielson

2007
Based on a True Story: PWG Title: Human Tornado d. Joey Ryan
Holy Diver Down: PWG Title: El Generico d. Human Tornado
Fifth Year Festival: ROH Title: Takeshi Morishima d. Homicide
Wrestlemania 23: NWA Championship: Fit Finlay (w/Dean) d. Ric Flair (w/AA)
Wrestlemania 23: ECW Championship 3 Way Dance: CM Punk (w/Maria) d. RVD d. Sabu
Wrestlemania 23: WWF Title: Booker T d. Executioner Lashley
Giant Size Annual: PWG Title: Bryan Danielson d. El Generico
Summer Slam: WWF Title: Rey Mysterio d. Booker T
Undeniable: ROH Title: Nigel McGuinness d. Takeshi Morishima
Survivor Series: Johnny Nitro (w/Melina) d. Fit Finlay (w/Dean)

2008
All Star Weekend: Low Ki d. Bryan Danielson
Royal Rumble: WWF Title: Shelton Benjamin d. Rey Mysterio
Dia de los Dangerous PWG Title: Human Tornado d. Roderick Strong d. Karl Anderson
Lockdown: TNA Title: Kurt Angle d. Samoa Joe
Wrestlemania 24: Undisputed Heavyweight Championship: TLC Match: CM Punk (w/Maria) d. Shelton Benjamin d. Johnny Nitro
Slammiversary: TNA Title: AJ Styles d. Kurt Angle
Life During Wartime: PWG Title: Chris Hero d. Human Tornado
Survivor Series: WWF Title: Chris Jericho d. CM Punk (w/Maria and Colt): (Guest referee, Ricky Steamboat)

2009
Supercard of Honor: ROH Title: Jerry Lynn d. Nigel McGuinness
Manhattan Mayhem: ROH Title: Austin Aries d. Jerry Lynn/Tyler Black
Slammiversary: TNA Title: Samoa Joe d. AJ Styles
Guerre Sans Frontieres PWG Title: Bryan Danielson d. Chris Hero
BOLA: PWG Title: Kenny Omega d. Roderick Strong
Final Resolution: TNA Title: Nigel McGuinness d. Samoa Joe

2010
8th Anniversary: ROH Title: Tyler Black d. Austin Aries
As the Worm Turns: PWG Title: Davey Richards d. Kenny Omega
Slammiversary: TNA Title: Kurt Angle d. Nigel McGuinness
Bound for Glory: TNA Title:  Alex Shelley d. Kurt Angle
Final Resolution: TNA Title: Bobby Roode d. Alex Shelley
Summer Slam: WWF Title: Edge d. Chris Jericho (Special Guest Referee – Bret Hart)
Glory by Honor: ROH Title: Roderick Strong d. Tyler Black
The Curse of Guerrilla Island: PWG Title: Claudio Castagnoli d. Chris Hero/Joey Ryan/Brandon Gatson


2011
Lockdown: TNA Title: Frankie Kazarian d. Bobby Roode
Manhattan Mayhem: ROH Title: Eddie Edwards d. Roderick Strong
Best in the World: ROH Title: Davey Richards d. Eddie Edwards
Slammiversary: TNA Title: Samoa Joe (w/Flair) d. Frankie Kazarian
Eight: PWG Title: Kevin Steen d. Claudio Castagnoli
Bound for Glory: TNA Title: AJ Styles d. Samoa Joe (w/Flair)
Wrestlemania 27: WWF Title: CM Punk d. Edge
Wrestlemania 27: WWF Title: Nick Nemeth d. CM Punk
Steen Wolf: PWG Title: Ladder Match: El Generico d. Kevin Steen

2012
Royal Rumble: WWF Title: Bryan Danielson d. Nick Nemeth (w/Kelly)
World's Finest: PWG Title: Kevin Steen d. El Generico d. Eddie Edwards
Border Wars: ROH Title: Kevin Steen d. Davey Richards
Slammiversary: TNA Title: Austin Aries d. AJ Styles
Mystery Vortex: PWG Adam Cole d. Kevin Steen


2013
Lockdown: TNA Title: Jeff Hardy (w/Future Endeavors) d. Austin Aries
Wrestlemania 29:  WWF Championship Brock Lesnar (w/Heyman and Swagger) d. Bryan Danielson (w/Steamboat and Punk) (special guest referee - Bruno Sammartino)
Supercard of Honor: ROH Title: Jay Briscoe d. Kevin Steen
Summer Slam: WWF Title: Cage: Bryan Danielson d. Brock Lesnar (w/Heyman/Swagger)
Death Before Dishonor: ROH Title: Adam Cole d. Michael Elgin

2014
Old School: TNA Title: Austin Aries d. Jeff Hardy
Slammiversary: TNA Title: James Storm d. Austin Aries
Wrestlemania 30: WWF Title: Claudio Castagnoli d. Bryan Danielson
Best in the World: ROH Title: Michael Elgin d. Adam Cole
Sold our Soul for Rock n Roll: PWG Title: Kyle O'Reilly d. Adam Cole
Bound for Glory: TNA Title: Low Ki d. James Storm
All Star Extravaganza: ROH Title: Jay Briscoe d. Michael Elgin
Black Cole Sun: PWG Title: Roderick Strong d. Kyle O'Reilly

2015
Royal Rumble: WWF Title: Brock Lesnar (w/Heyman/Kenta) d. Claudio Castagnoli
Best in the World: ROH Title: Jay Lethal d. Jay Briscoe
Summer Slam: WWF Championship: Kevin Steen d. Brock Lesnar (w/Heyman) (Special guest referee-Ricky Steamboat)

2016
All Star Weekend PWG Title: Zack Sabre Jr. d. Roderick Strong
Wrestlemania 32: WWF Title: Elimination Chamber: AJ Styles d. Kevin Steen/Nick Nemeth/Dean Ambrose/Brock Lesnar(w/Heyman)/Kalisto
Death Before Dishonor: ROH Title: Adam Cole d. Jay Lethal
Final Battle ROH Title: Kyle O'Reilly d. Adam Cole