WWE Night of Champions notes and full results: Bloodline implodes, Cody loses in gutsy performance, Bianca’s reign is over

May 27, 2023 Neal Flanagan NEWS
Image Courtesy: WWE

** Michael Cole and Corey Graves were on English commentary from the Jeddah Superdome.

** First up was Seth Rollins vs. AJ Styles for the new WWE World Heavyweight Championship. Michael Cole noted that the title belt pays homage to the McMahons, Bruno Sammartino and the “60-year history” of WWE. Rollins defeated Styles after a well laid out back-and-forth match to lift the new title.

** A surprise appearance by Zoey Stark was key to victory for Trish Stratus over Becky Lynch. The body of the match was very solid and was given plenty of time. In the closing stretch, Stark emerged from under the ring to nail Becky with the Z360, handing Trish the win.

** Mustafa Ali was presented as the “hometown” babyface, with a video package of him on a pilgrimage to Mecca being shown before his Intercontinental Title match with Gunther. Ali got in more offense than he normally would, even getting a decent near-fall after a 450 splash. Gunther eventually hit the powerbomb to retain.

** The Raw Women’s Championship match between Bianca Belair and Asuka was next up. Asuka won the title after smearing mist from her hands into Belair’s eyes. The win ends Belair’s record 420-day reign with the title.

** Rhea Ripley retained the SmackDown Women’s Title in just over one minute. Dominik Mysterio distracted Natalya as the bell rang, with Ripley then attacking from behind. Ripley threw Nattie into the ring steps, rolled her into the ring, and hit the Riptide for the win.

** Seth Rollins was interviewed backstage by Byron Saxton. Rollins said it feels good to be a World Champion and added that he will be at Raw on Monday, and every Monday.

** Cody Rhodes vs. Brock Lesnar was next. Rhodes’ storyline broken left arm was in a titanium Exos cast, Michael Cole explained. As the match got underway, Cody swung between selling the pain of the fracture and using the cast as an effective weapon on Brock. Cody hit a Cross Rhodes but could not make the pin in time.

Brock then locked in a Kimura on the “broken” arm, with the story being that Cody may pass out from the pain. However, he managed to make it to the rope.

Much of the commentary sold Rhodes’ resilience, with Cole declaring, “Rhodes is not human!”

The two went back and forth but Rhodes could not withstand a second Kimura, passing out after what was presented as an incredibly gutsy babyface performance.

** Before the main event even got underway, Sami Zayn got an enormous reaction from the crowd, and spoke to the fans in Arabic. Even ahead of any physicality, the crowd sang Olé and chanted Sami’s name.

Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens retained the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championships after a botched attempt by The Usos to help Reigns and Sikoa led to chaos. An accidental stereo superkick to Solo Sikoa led to a confrontation with Reigns. Jimmy Uso lost it and delivered not one but two superkicks to Roman. Sikoa took the pin as the Bloodline looked set for turmoil.

Full results:

  • WWE World Heavyweight Championship: Seth Rollins def. AJ Styles
  • Trish Stratus def. Becky Lynch
  • Intercontinental Championship: Gunther (c) def. Mustafa Ali
  • Raw Women’s Championship: Asuka def. Bianca Belair (c)
  • SmackDown Women’s Championship: Rhea Ripley (c) def. Natalya
  • Brock Lesnar def. Cody Rhodes
  • Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championships: Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn (c) def. Solo Sikoa & Roman Reigns

For context regarding WWE’s events in Saudi Arabia, see John Pollock and Brandon Thurston’s conversation with investigative reporter Karim Zidan.

About Neal Flanagan 1101 Articles
Based in Northern Ireland, Neal Flanagan is a former newspaper journalist and copy editor. In addition to reporting for POST Wrestling, he co-hosts The Wellness Policy podcast with Wai Ting and Jordan Goodman.
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