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LECLAIR’S WWE CLASH IN PARIS REPORT
AUGUST 31, 2025
PARIS, FRANCE AT PARIS LA DEFENSE ARENA
AIRED LIVE ON PEACOCK (U.S.), NETFLIX (Int.)
Announcers: Michael Cole & Wade Barrett
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-“For the first time ever, Paris, France hosts a WWE Premium Live Event,” Michael Cole said over drone shots of the city. Inside La Defense Arena, fans held colored signs forming the French flag across the lower bowl. Cole talked over footage of wrestler arrivals from earlier in the day, then laid out for the opening video package.
-Fireworks shot from the massive entrance stage, an Eiffel Tower replica planted firmly in the center, creating an archway for wrestlers to enter under. Cole said they’re in the largest indoor stadium in Paris, with over 30,000 in attendance.
-Bronson Reed’s music hit and he sauntered into view, shoes draped around his neck. He was flanked by Paul Heyman. Cole said that Heyman has coined Reed the “Tribal Thief”, but he just calls him “Auszilla.” Wade Barrett joined in, saying it’s a massive night for Seth Rollins’ cohorts. Barrett introduced the French commentary team, seated beside he and Cole at ringside.
The crowd rose in anticipation of the Tribal Chief. They exploded when his music hit. Roman headed to the ring wearing two Ula-Falas. Cole explained that it’s to honor both his father and uncle, and that it goes against regular tradition. The crowd’s singing drowned out Reigns’ theme music.
(1) BRONSON REED (w/ Paul Heyman) vs. ROMAN REIGNS
Paris applauded themselves and the athletes in the ring as the opening ball rang. Bronson Reed and Roman Reigns looked around at the crowd. Reed threw a finger to the sky, garnering massive boos. The crowd quickly rose and rallied behind Reigns, singing to him again. They finally locked up nearly two minutes into the match. Reed powered Reigns into the corner, then flexed for the crowd. They pelted him with an “f— you Bronson” chant.
Another lock up. Reigns grabbed a side headlock. Reed shot him off the ropes and hit a shoulder tackle, but Roman only stumbled. He brushed his shoulder off and hit the ropes. They ran into each other again, another stalemate. Reed hit the ropes, but Roman caught him with an uppercut. Bronson stumbled into the northeast corner. Reigns peppered him with quick shots, crowd eating out of the palm of his hand. Roman walked Bronson to the northwest corner and mounted him for ten punches. He hit the ropes, but Reed scooped him out of the air for a Powerslam. Reigns fly over his back. he tried for a Samoan Drop, but Reed’s weight came toppling down on him.
Bronson tossed Roman to the floor. Barrett said that Reigns overestimated his abilities this early in the match. Reed toppled Roman again, then gave him a Uranagi onto the French announce desk. He rolled into the ring to break the count just before 6:00. Reed cleared the announce desk. Roman fought to his feet with an uppercut. He slammed Reed into the ring post repeatedly. Reigns cleared off the main announce desk, then ate a clothesline from a recovered Reed. He taunted the fans from the ring steps, then tossed Reigns back in the ring. He gave Roman a World’s Strongest Slam for a cover and two count. Reed gave him a couple of strong headbutts, then an elbow and some mounted punches. He flexed for the crowd again.
“Can you imagine a win for Bronson Reed over the original Tribal Chief in this atmosphere?” Cole asked as Reed continued to beat down Roman. He cranked at Reigns’ neck. The crowd tried to will Roman on. Reigns returned t0 his feet, but quickly ate a back elbow from Reed. Heyman looked on to Reed with reverence, shouting encouragements. Reed grabbed a seated chin-lock at 10:45. Roman battled back upright, punching his way free. Reed scooped him up and gave him an effortless Samoan Drop for a cover and two count. Barrett said his speed is paramount to keeping Reigns down and out.
Reed retrieved the shoes from Heyman and marched around the ring with them. He ate another uppercut from Roman, but shrugged it off. He quickly took Reigns down and continued to pound him into the mat. Reed untied Roman’s boot, trying to take another pair. Reigns fought him off, kicking him to the corner. He dodged a splash, then hit Reed with short-arm clotheslines. Uppercuts sent him reeling. It took two clotheslines against the ropes to send Reed packing to the floor. Roman got a running start and connected with a drive-by, then another slam into the ring post and ring steps. Barrett said the ringside area “already looks like a war zone.”
Reigns cocked his fist and charged for the Superman Punch, but Reed picked him out of the air for a slam and Senton. He covered for a near fall just before 15:30. Reed hoisted Reigns onto his shoulders, but Roman planted multiple elbows to his jaw. Reigns rolled Reed into a crucifix cover for a two count. Reed popped to his feet and gave Reigns a Death Valley Driver for a cover and near fall. Reed pulled Reigns in for a Piledriver or Powerbomb, but Reigns blocked it. Bronson kicked him in the face instead. Reigns tumbled to the outside. Reed went to dive through the ropes, but Reigns caught him with a Superman Punch from the floor. He rolled in the ring and delivered another one, covering for a near fall.
The camera pulled back and Cole reset the stage. Reed and Reigns struggled to their feet as the match ticked past 18:00. Reigns called for the Spear and charged. Reed hit a basement dropkick to the face. He toppled Reigns to the floor, then dove through the middle rope to take him out. Reed returned the Tribal Chief to the ring and climbed to the top rope. He went for the Tsunami, but Reigns rolled out of the way. Roman went for the Spear, but Reed just ate it, not even budging. He pulled Roman in and delivered a sit-out Powerbomb for a cover and near fall. Reed dragged Roman’s limp body into position for the Tsunami. Reigns popped to his feet and cut Bronson off with an uppercut. He sat Reed atop the northeast turnbuckles and hooked him for a Superplex. Reed fought back with body shots, knocking Reigns back to the mat. Roman charged in with a Superman Punch on the top. He scooped Reed and delivered an Avalanche Samoan Drop.
Roman shook the ropes in anticipation, charging and finally connecting with the Spear. He covered Reed for a three count.
WINNER: Roman Reigns in 22:06
After the match, Paul Heyman came into the ring to tend to Bronson Reed. Reigns snuck back in, stalking his former wise man. Heyman begged, pleaded and groveled. He handed Reigns’ shoes back to him in an attempt to appease. Reigns took the shoes, then trapped Heyman in a Guillotine. After putting Paul to sleep, he celebrated atop the announce desk with his re-acquired shoes. Reigns got his hand on a pen and signed the shoes, tossing them to fans at ringside.
Just as he finished, Bron Breakker appeared atop the ringside barrier. He leapt onto the French announce desk and charged, spearing Reigns through the announce desk and leaving him in a heap. Breakker and Reed helped Paul Heyman back to his feet and led him away from the ring. Producers and officials aided Reigns at ringside. Breakker spotted Roman rounding ringside. He charged back down the ramp and speared Reigns again. “I’m willing to die for this, you understand?” Bron asked the ailing Reigns. Reed through Roman back in the ring. Bron held him in place and Bronson gave him a Tsunami.
Security rushed to ringside with Adam Pearce in tow, finally forcing Reed and Breakker away. EMT’s entered ringside with a stretcher. Cole said he might have internal injuries. Reigns was strapped to a backboard. Reed ran back to the ring. Breakker cleared the ring of security. Reed gave Roman another Tsunami. Suddenly, Jey Uso hit the ring in street gear. He kicked Breakker and Reed in the face and tossed them to the floor. Jey went to check on Reigns, but ate a massive spear from Bron Breakker.
“Completely unchecked power here,” Barrett said. Security flooded the ring again, surrounding Breakker and Reed. Reed rushed around the ring to the free side, climbing the turnbuckles again. He gave Reigns another Tsunami. Cole was incensed, begging for Pearce to get the Vision out of the ring. Reigns was gasping for air as he was re-strapped to the back board. Barrett wondered whether or not Jey Uso would even be able to compete later on. Jey stayed with his cousin,
(LeClair’s Analysis: This was virtually an extended house show match, but that’s really all it needed to be. These two had the Paris crowd eating out of the palm of their hands for every second of this thing. The crowd was the story, and I suspect that trend will continue through the rest of the show. Reed looked great throughout, dominating the majority of the match and receiving glowing remarks from Cole and Barrett. I thought the blocked Spear into sit-out Powerbomb, in particular, was a great looking spot. Completely unexpected, too, given that we’ve never seen such a counter against Roman. Reigns was always the obvious winner here, but I thought they did a very good job of making Reed seem like a credible threat.
Breakker’s post-match involvement made sense, as Reigns continues to work through the Vision to get to Rollins. Given how much they gave Reed in this one, I’m intrigued to see how dominant Breakker looks in their inevitable collision. I thought bringing Jey out was a nice touch, too. Despite having a match later on in the show, Jey felt compelled to defend his cousin, regardless of the risk.)
-Cole showed Jelly Roll and Post Malone, seated at ringside.
-Backstage, Adam Pearce admonished Reed and Breakker. He said they need to leave. Bron and Bronson said they need to be there to back up Seth in the World title match. Pearce said they’re both being ejected, and, if they return, they’ll be suspended indefinitely without pay. Breakker and Reed left reluctantly through a side door to the parking lot.
-The Street Profits entered, accompanied by B-Fab. They wore Borderlands-inspired gear. The Wyatt Sicks came out to a sea of fireflies. The Paris faithful sang along to their theme music. Uncle Howdy, Nikki Cross, and Erick Rowan settled in on the ramp as the champions rushed the ring.
(2) THE WYATT SICKS (c, Joe Gacy & Dexter Lumis, w/ Uncle Howdy & Erick Rowan & Nikki Cross) vs. THE STREET PROFITS (Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins, w/ B-Fab) – WWE Tag Team Championship match
Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins teased some discontent, arguing silently over who would begin the match. Angelo Dawkins won out, but Ford quickly tagged himself in rather aggressively. Dawkins let it slide. Ford went to work on Dexter Lumis in the early going, but the latter shrugged off his offense and crawled out of the corner to meet him. Lumis tossed Ford to the apron and Joe Gacy swept Montez’ leg out. The Sicks took Ford down with a double back elbow. Lumis covered for a quick two count at 3:40. Lumis worked Ford into the Sicks corner and tagged in Joe Gacy. Ford fought out of the corner with some clubs to the back. Gacy returned some of his own. He took Ford down and applied a rear chin-lock.
Ford fought to his feet, but Gacy kicked him in the gut and tagged Dexter. Lumis gave Ford a body slam and leg drop for a cover and two count. Gacy tagged in again. The Sicks continued to double team Ford, keeping him isolated near their corner. Barrett said that he’s “getting battered from pillar to post.” Montez finally managed to launch Lumis over the top to the floor. Gacy whipped Ford to the apron. He went for a Suplex, but Ford blocked it twice and delivered one of his own. Angelo Dawkins begged for a tag, and got one.
Angelo Dawkins flipped over the top rope, taking out Gacy and Lumis. He tossed Joe back in the ring, leapfrogged him, then hit a corkscrew elbow. Dawkins dropped Lumis, then gave Gacy a corkscrew splash in the corner. He followed it up with a twisting neckbreaker, then headed to the top rope. Dawkins hit Gacy with a Swanton Bomb for a cover and near fall at 8:05. Gacy fought back with a headbutt, then tagged in Lumis. They hit a double-team Suplex into neckbreaker. Lumis covered for a two count. Dawkins slid over a Suplex attempt, then tagged in Ford.
Joe Gacy ripped Dawkins off the apron from ringside. Lumis threw his body into the ropes, downing Ford atop the northwest turnbuckles. Lumis made a rolling tag to Joe Gacy. He tried to give Ford a Superplex, but Montez held firm. Dawkins tagged himself in and stepped under Gacy, allowing Ford to fly off the top for an Electric Chair Blockbuster. Dawkins covered, but Lumis made the save at two. Angelo hit Gacy with a Spinebuster, then tagged in Ford. He went for a frog splash, but Gacy rolled out of the way. He tagged in Dexter. Gacy hoisted Lumis onto his shoulders and threw his body onto Ford. They covered, but Dawkins broke it up.
Dawkins missed Gacy wildly with a clothesline. Gacy hit the ropes with a springboard back elbow. They rolled to the outside. Dawkins rammed Gacy right into the ringside barrier. When he turned around, Erick Rowan was waiting for him. They exchanged words. Lumis flew in and knocked Dawkins into the crowd. Ford flew over the ropes and took out both Lumis and Rowan. He tossed Dexter in the ring. Nikki Cross appeared from underneath the ring. She held onto Ford’s legs. Lumis distracted the referee. Uncle Howdy gave Ford a Sister Abigail on the floor. He tossed him back in the ring. The Sicks hit “The Plague”, their Suplex into sit-out Powerbomb finish. Gacy covered for a three count.
WINNERS: The Wyatt Sicks in 13:11 to retain the WWE Tag Team Championships0
(LeClair’s Analysis: Decent match, though the Smackdown tag team division just can’t seem to catch on, try as they may. The Wyatt Sicks seem to be little more than an entrance at this point, and the Street Profits have been in need of a refresh for some time. It’s odd, they played heavily into the notion that there is some tension between the Profits to start this thing out, and then quickly abandoned it in favor of a pretty standard tag team affair. I don’t know if this is something they intend to follow up on, but the dissension has felt pretty thin and forced so far.)
-Cole tossed a video package for the women’s Intercontinental title match.
-Nikki Bella entered first, receiving a decent reaction from the Paris crowd. Cole noted that she’s a multi-time champion, but it’s been a very long time since she’s held a title in WWE. Barrett said the level of competition in the women’s division is “miles above” where it was even just ten years ago. Becky Lynch entered next to a big reaction initial reaction from the crowd.
(3) BECKY LYNCH (c) vs. NIKKI BELLA – WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship match
“First time ever that these two have gone one on one,” Cole said to start the match. Becky Lynch and Nikki Bella circled one another and then lock up. Bella quickly broke the hold and staggered Lynch with a couple of quick forearms. She hoisted Becky onto the apron and knocked her to the floor. Becky begged off, wiping her face and returning to the apron. Nikki quickly shoved her back to the floor. She tried to charge Becky, but Lynch side-stepped and sent her careening into the ring steps. Barrett said that Bella came out of the blocks too hot. Becky bounced Nikki’s face off the apron and returned her to the ring. She ascended the northwest corner and delivered a second rope leg drop for a cover and two count at 1:50.
Becky gave Nikki an elbow to the back of the head, then choked her against the middle rope. The crowd sang to the champion. Becky threw her body weight into Nikki in the southwest corner, then stomped at her. She gave her a Bexploder. “Bet you wish you didn’t come back now, this is my ring!” Lynch told Bella. A slap to the face woke Nikki up. She fought to her feet and whipped Becky to the ropes, but Lynch caught her with a clothesline for a cover and two count. Becky grabbed a kneeling chin lock. Bella scooped her onto her back and deposited her in the corner. She ate a quick boot, then a clothesline from the champion for another cover and two count.
“So far, Becky looks just that little bit sharper.” Wade said. Bella fought out of the corner with some wild punches to the back. She finally dropped the champion with a pair of clotheslines and a dropkick. She connected with a baseball slide to the floor, then bounced Becky’s head off both announce desks repeatedly. Nikki slid Becky back in the ring and worked her to the northwest corner. She hit a clothesline, then went for a springboard kick off the middle rope. Lynch wasn’t in position, so Bella just fell awkwardly to the mat. She set Lynch up for the Rack Attack 2.0, but Becky slid down her back. Nikki gave her a hard right forearm. Lynch hit a falling reverse clothesline for a cover and two count at 7:30.
Bella fought to her feet, twisting Becky’s arm and hitting an Arm-breaker against her shoulder. She tried to climb the ropes, but Becky rose to meet her. They traded blows atop the northwest corner. Lynch hooked Bella and delivered a Superplex for a cover and two count. Becky immediately transitioned into an Arm Bar. Becky tried to block, but Lunch got the full hyper-extension. Nikki rolled into it, creating a cover for a two count. Becky rolled and tried to re-apply a Disarm-Her. Bella hoisted Lynch onto her shoulders in an Electric Chair and slammed her. Bella covered for a two count.
Lynch rolled out to the apron, luring Nikki in for a a guillotine against the ropes. She kicked Nikki to the mat, them climbed to the top rope. Nikki rolled out of the way, Becky rolled through the offense. Bella immediately applied the Fearless Lock, her version of the STF. Becky managed to reach out and grab the bottom rope. She pulled herself to the floor for a reprieve. Bella followed. Lynch kicked her in the gut and slammed her into the ring steps. Becky tried to set up for the Man-Handle Slam on the steps, but Nikki fought her off. She slammed the back of Becky’s head into the ring post repeatedly, then hit a Bella Buster on the steel steps.
Nikki rolled the champion back in the ring and gave her the Man-Handle Slam. She hooked the leg for a near fall. Bella tried to apply the Disarm-Her. Lynch rolled out of it and turned Nikki into a backslide for a surprise three count.
WINNER: Becky Lynch in 13:17 to retain the WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship
(LeClair’s Analysis: I thought these two had done some admirable promo work in the lead up to this match. The end result was fine, but it didn’t feel like they ever really shifted in third gear. The botched springboard kick could’ve derailed things, but the crowd was forgiving and both women bounced back quickly. I think Bella still has something to offer this division, especially with them having secondary titles now, but this just didn’t quite reach the level that I think this two are capable of.)
-Cole talked up the main event. A clip of Unreal aired. Then, they showed clips of Reed and Breakker’s attack on Reigns through the voices of various announce teams.
-Backstage, Jey Uso received some ice for his ribs in the trainer’s room. Adam Pearce check in on him. Jey said he was good to go. Pearce said medical seemed “on the verge of saying something else.” Jey grew angry. He said he’s bringing home the World Heavyweight Championship tonight.
-Cole tossed a video package for the Gold Ol’ Fashioned Donnybrook match.
-Alicia Taylor introduced the match and its rules, noting that the only way to win is by pinfall or submission. Rusev entered first to minimal reaction. “It’s fight night, baby!” Cole exclaimed as Sheamus made his entrance. Barrett said Cole may have just busted his eardrum. Sheamus slapped hands with fans all the way down the ramp. Cole said this was sure to be a “banger.”
(4) RUSEV vs. SHEAMUS – “Good Ol’ Fashioned Donnybrook” match
Sheamus and Rusev immediately came to blows as the bell rang. The crowd gave them a celebratory cheer. Sheamus took Rusev out at the legs and mounted him for punches. Rusev rolled through it and delivered shots of his own. The two big men rolled all the way through the ropes to the floor, still throwing punches. Sheamus slammed Rusev against the ringside barrier, then set up a table. Rusev tossed Sheamus into the ring post and set up his own table, right against the first one. He tried for a Suplex through the tables, but Sheamus countered with one of his own to the floor.
The Celtic Warrior walked Rusev around ringside, tossing him into the barriers. He rolled Rusev into the ring and grabbed his shillelagh. Rusev cut him off with a Kendo stick. He beat Sheamus to the apron and then began his own version of the Ten Beats. Sheamus collapsed onto the apron, chest red. Rusev ripped away a turnbuckle pad. He tried to whip Sheamus into the exposed buckle, but Sheamus countered and hit a Celtic Curse Backbreaker. Sheamus retrieved the Kendo stick and cracked it across Rusev’s chest and back repeatedly. He leapt to the floor and retrieved a steel chair. A “Sheamus” chant built among the Paris crowd. Sheamus returned to the ring with three chairs in tow. He swung wildly, but Rusev ducked and caught Sheamus with a heel kick. He covered for a one count at 5:35.
Rusev cracked the chair across Sheamus’ back, then his gut. He wedged the chair between the top and middle turnbuckles in the southeast corner. The crowd began a big “Rusev Day” chant. Rusev covered his ears, begging the crowd to stop. They got louder. Sheamus invited kicks from his rival. He blocked a chair shot and caught Rusev with a running knee. Rusev rolled to the apron, where Sheamus dragged him up for his own Ten Beats. Sheamus went to retrieve his opponent on the floor, but Rusev tossed him over the bar set up at ringside. He recovered quickly, slamming Rusev into the bar and giving him ten more beats. Rusev sauntered around ringside, out on his feet. He climbed over the barricade. Sheamus caught up to him, giving him ten more beats, this time with the shillelagh. He hugged the excited fans at ringside.
Back in the ring, Sheamus went for White Noise, but Rusev blocked it. Instead, Sheamus sent Rusev careening into the wedged steel chair in the corner. He followed up with a Celtic Cross for a cover and near fall at 10:28. Sheamus looked to the crowd and pounded his chest, readying the Brogue Kick. Rusev rolled to safety on the floor. Sheamus climbed to the top rope and tried to dive onto Rusev, but the brute picked him out of the air with a Kendo stick. Rusev whipped Sheamus into the ring steps. He slammed the base of the steps into Sheamus’ shoulder. Rusev dragged the toppled bar into position against the steel steps. He gave Sheamus a Uranagi off the steps, through the front of the bar.
“Sling that big Irishman in the ring and cover him, it’s game over,” Barrett said. Rusev pulled Sheamus from the wreckage of the bar and tossed him into the ring. He locked on the Accolade. Sheamus fought to his feet, Rusev on his back. He dumped Rusev onto the steel chairs laid out in the ring. Both men rolled to the floor. Sheamus tossed Rusev into the timekeeper’s area. They worked their way onto the stacked barrel props at ringside. Rusev applied the Accolade on top of the barrels. Cole noted that the match has to be won in the ring. Sheamus broke the hold and worked his way to his feet. Both men teetered atop the barrels, just above the tables set up at the start of the match. Sheamus lifted Rusev up and delivered White Noise off the barrels, through the tables.
Both men were down as the match crossed 16:10. Referee Jessika Carr checked on them, clearing the match to continue. Rusev was first to stir, rolling into the ring. Sheamus wasn’t far behind. Rusev crawled toward the shillelagh. He retrieved it and charged, but Sheamus caught him with a Brogue Kick. Sheamus covered for a very close near fall. Sheamus used the northwest corner to drag himself up. Rusev rose, too. They charged. Rusev caught Sheamus with a bicycle kick. Sheamus stumbled but didn’t fall. He charged again. Rusev gave him a body roll. He cracked Sheamus in the back of the head with the shillelagh, breaking it. He covered for a near fall.
“These two are simply not human,” Barrett concluded. Rusev used the broken shillelagh to apply the Accolade again. He pulled all the way back, placing Sheamus on top of him. Sheamus finally tapped out.
WINNER: Rusev in 20:07
Cole said he believes it’s on the second time in Sheamus’ career that he tapped out.
(LeClair’s Analysis: I was surprised to see them give these two twenty minutes, given the relative lack of intrigue in this feud to date. They made the most of it, though, beating the hell out of each other in the manner you’d expect, knowing them both. It really felt like Rusev needed a big, signature win here if his return is to mean anything long term, so, I’m pleased with the result. Hopefully this means a renewed interest in him and his character. Or, at the very least, I could see this leading to a reluctant partner situation that could wind up playing well with the crowd if its handled correctly.)
-Barrett congratulated Michael Cole on being named on the “most impactful sports TV voices of the 21st century” by the New York Times. He tossed to a video package for John Cena vs. Logan Paul.
Logan Paul was out first to plenty of jeers from Paris. The crowd turned to the stage in anticipation of his opponent’s arrival. They held his music back for a considerable length of time, letting the cheers build. Cena exploded onto the stage, feeding off the energy of the crowd. He pointed to them as they sang his theme. The camera cut to a large “THANK YOU CENA” banner hanging from the upper level. The crowd was in a frenzy as Cena pointed to Alicia Taylor for his introduction.
(5) LOGAN PAUL vs. JOHN CENA
Michael Cole called it “a big fight feel” A La Defense Arena in Paris. The crowd sang loudly as the bell rang. John Cena and Logan Paul stared each other down, then locked up. Paul grabbed a quick headlock. Cena slid free and applied one of his own. They worked against the ropes, Cena broke clean, then worked Paul into a test of strength. Paul got the better of it, stomping on Cena’s foot and then punching him in the gut. Paul cornered John and beat him down with hard body shots. He taunted the crowd as Cena crawled across the ring. Logan mounted Cena in the southeast corner and looked around at the crowd, mockingly. Cena slid out from beneath him. He whipped Paul to the opposing corner and gave him ten punches. He followed up with a monkey flip out of the corner. Paul landed on his feet.
Barrett said that Cena might’ve seen that coming if he’d studied Paul’s 23 professional matches. Paul posed on the turnbuckles again, then dropped Cena with an uppercut as the match crossed 4:00. Logan went for another uppercut, but Cena stepped out of it. He hit the ropes and dropped Paul with a clothesline. Cena worked Logan into the southeast corner. Paul fought out with a boot and a Blockbuster from the middle rope for a cover and two count. Paul delivered a delayed vertical Suplex and covered for another two. Barrett said that Paul has built out his frame in the last couple of years, becoming a “prototypical Superstar.”
Paris rose to their feet again, waving and singing to Cena. Cena broke a chin lock from Paul, but Logan gave him a Gutwrench Suplex for a cover and two count. Cole applauded Logan’s strategy. John retreated to the corner. Paul caught him with a flying uppercut. Cole called it “Cesaro-like.” Cena finally exploded out of the corner with a clothesline. Both men fought to their feet slowly. Cena hit a pair of shoulder tackles, then his signature back drop. He set up the Five Knuckle Shuffle and connected. “Vintage Cena!” Cole shouted. He went for the Attitude Adjustment, but Paul slid onto the apron. Logan hit the Buckshot Lariat for a cover and near fall at 9:45. He went for a frog splash from the top, but Cena got his knees up. He immediately hit the Attitude Adjustment and covered for a near fall of his own.
Cena called for another A.A., but Paul slid down his back. He locked Cena in an Octopus Stretch. Cena fought free, again looking for the A.A. Paul fought it off again. This time, though, Cena tripped Logan up and into the STFU. Logan managed to reach the ropes. Cena dragged him back to center. Paul kicked him away. Cena leapt to the middle rope and hit a Tornado DDT for a cover and near fall at 12:20. John returned to his feet, looking for another Attitude Adjustment. Paul countered again, this time into the Alley-Op Powerbomb. He covered for a two count.
“Major mistake from Logan Paul,” Barrett said, admonishing the star for not applying additional weight to Cena’s shoulders on the cover. Logan sized up Cena for a knockout punch. Cena ducked and hit the shoulder tackles again. He went for the spin-out back drop, but Paul flipped over his back and then planted Cena with a Zig-Zag for a cover and two count. Logan rolled to the apron again. He went for the another Buckshot, but Cena caught him and turned it into a Flatliner. Cena sat up on his knees, gasping for air. He went for another A.A., but Paul’s momentum carried him to the apron. He caught Cena with a jawbreaker. Paul ascended the ropes. He hit a Swanton, then a standing Senton for a cover and two count at 16:25.
John rose slowly in the southwest corner. Logan flattened him with a running clothesline. He missed with an uppercut into the corner. Cena gave Paul a double underhook sit-out Face-buster for a cover and near fall. A “Super Cena” built in the crowd. Paul and Cena traded kicks and punches in the center of the ring. Cena hit the ropes, but Paul launched him into the air and caught him with a pop-up uppercut. Paul came up with blood on his cheek and nose. He toppled John with two shoulder tackles and the spin-out back drop. “I love it!” Barrett said. Logan sauntered over John, calling for his own Five Knuckle Shuffle. Cena sprang to life and gave Paul another Attitude Adjustment for a cover and near fall at 20:23.
Barrett covered up some clear spot-calling from Cena, calling it trash talk. Both men rose slowly, trading punches, then headbutts. Cena leapt onto Paul’s shoulders, hitting a ‘rana. He followed up with a Code Red for a cover and near fall. Cena pulled Logan up for another A.A. Paul grabbed the ropes again. He caught Cena with the knockout punch on the ricochet. Paul covered, but Cena just got the shoulder up. “That may have been his last chance,” Cole said. Logan kipped up, staring directly into the hard cam. He climbed the northeast corner and hit the Paul from Grace.
Rather than covering, Paul went to the opposite corner. He hit a second Paul from Grace and hooked the leg for a close near fall just before 23:30. Logan pipped up again. He set up for the Five Knuckle Shuffle and hit it this time. Logan pulled Cena up, looking for his own A.A. Cena rolled through it. He pulled Paul in and delivered a Styles Clash for a cover and near fall. “If you’re going to steal in this industry, steal from the best!” Barrett said. Cole said that many believe Cena’s rivalry with Styles is one of the best of his career.
Cena worked Paul into the northeast corner. Barrett said both men ran out of moves several minutes ago. Cole called it sudden death overtime. John set Logan up for an Avalanche Attitude Adjustment. Paul shoved him away. He dove at John, but Cena caught him, rolled through and hoisted him onto his shoulders, hitting the A.A. Cena went for another. Paul ducked. He caught John with a knockout punch. John fell against the ropes. Paul went for another. Cena ducked and gave Paul one more A.A. for a cover and three count.
WINNER: John Cena in 26:25
Cena celebrated with fans at ringside, kissed his wife, and shook hands with Jelly Roll and Post Malone.
(LeClair’s Analysis: Very good match. Cena’s output has drastically improved since abandoning the ill-fated heel turn and just playing the hits. Funnily enough, he’s doing more now than he did through much of his career. Cena busted out plenty of different moves, and Paul expanded his already impressive repertoire. The crowd helped bring this to another level, staying wholly engaged and completely invested throughout. They were just completely and totally enamored with Cena, treating every moment with reverence. I thought all the little nods to past rivalries and friends was a great touch – be it Claudio, Nic Nemeth, or A.J. Styles – the crowd recognized and appreciated them all. This was certainly the high point of the show.)
-Cole thanked Peacock for a five year partnership airing WWE premium live events, and noted NXT events will continue to air there. He plugged Monday’s Raw.
-The official attendance was announced as 30,323.
-John Cena was teased for the post-show.
-Backstage, Jackie Redmond was posted outside Seth Rollins’ locker room. He stepped out and she stopped him, recapping the night’s events that have left him entirely alone. Seth covered the microphone. “Jackie, I know where you’re going with this, and I’m already two steps ahead.” He said he’s entirely alone, and the entire world thinks that puts him at a disadvantage. He asked if she remembers Wrestlemania. Seth said he chose the Vision, but he doesn’t need the Vision. “I am the greatest in-ring performer in the history of this industry and I have never needed anyone.” He said if he can’t keep the title by himself, maybe he doesn’t deserve to be champion.
Back at ringside, Cole and Barrett talked up the main event and tossed to a video package.
-Jey Uso was out first, entering through the lower bowl and leading the crowd in massive chants as he made his way down to ringside. Cole and Barrett talked about his long-standing rib injuries, exacerbated by getting involved in the attack on Roman Reigns’ earlier in the night. LA Knight was out next. Cole noted that he’s the only person in the match to never win a World Championship, but he is the last one to defeat Seth Rollins. CM Punk entered next to a huge pop. The crowd sang along to “Cult of Personality” as Punk sauntered into view and marched down the aisle. The crowd continued to sing even after the music faded out.
Seth Rollins was last out, still leading the crowd through their rendition of his music. He wore the World Heavyweight title proudly around his waist, walking confidently down the aisle toward the ring. Cole said that it seemed like Rollins might be “a little shook up” based on his interview with Jackie moments ago. Alicia Taylor delivered standard Championship match introductions. All four men received significant reactions.
(6) SETH ROLLINS (c) vs. JEY USO vs. – LA KNIGHT vs. CM PUNK – World Heavyweight Championship Fatal-4-Way match
All four men stepped toward center, feeling each other out to begin the match. CM Punk threw a quick kick at Jey Uso, payback for Monday’s Raw. Seth Rollins took the opportunity to slide to the floor, taking himself out of harm’s way. Punk and LA Knight quickly came to blows, trading advantages in the northeast corner of the ring. Rollins picked his spot, returning to the ring just in time to topple Knight with a clothesline and hit Punk with a knee in the corner. Jey Uso flew into view with a cross body onto Rollins. He clotheslined Seth to the floor and prepared to fly, but Punk sprang out of the corner and gave Jey a clothesline.
Jey leapt over Punk coming out of the southwest corner. Punk shoved Jey into the ring post. Rollins pulled Punk out of the ring and tossed him over the barricade and into the crowd. Seth caught Jey with a running knee in the corner, then tried to follow up with Punk’s signature corner bulldog. When he turned, he ate a right hand from LA Knight. Uso and Knight took turns clobbering Rollins. The champion rolled to the floor. Jey rolled up Knight for a two count at 3:25. He followed up with a big Samoan Drop. Knight retreated to the corner. Jey looked the charge, but Seth cut him off. He tossed Jey to the apron, then crushed Knight with a knee in the corner. Punk returned to the apron and ate a punch from the champion.
“I don’t need nobody!” Seth told everyone and anyone. Jey, Punk, and Knight all rose concurrently, surrounding Seth. The champion looked around for mercy, but found none. The challengers swarmed, beating Seth into the corner. They took turns stomping Seth repeatedly. Jey proposed a temporary truce. Knight and Punk obliged. They hit rapid succession charging knees. Knight said they should put Rollins through a table. Seth smacked Jey’s chest. Jey! Get the tables!’ he yelled. Punk and Uso retrieved a table from underneath the ring while Knight pulled Rollins into position. Jey gave Punk a Superkick. Knight wound up giving Seth a clothesline into the crowd. Uso caught Knight with a Superkick.
Uso and Rollins battled into the crowd, brawling across the floor and toward the lower bowl. Knight came around the other side, surprising Seth with punches that sent him back-pedaling toward the ring. Punk came flying off the barricade, toppling both men. Punk returned Rollins to ringside and the ring. He climbed to the top and caught the champion with a cross body, then a clothesline and swinging neckbreaker. Punk called for the Go to Sleep. Rollins slid down his back. Jey kicked Punk in the face, then caught him with a step-up Enziguri. Knight returned and gave Jey a Powerslam. Punk gave Knight a Shining Wizard. Rollins hit Punk with a Pedigree and covered him for a two count at 9:30.
Seth delivered a Buckle Bomb to Knight into the northeast corner. He covered for a two count, then ascended the adjacent corner to crush Uso with a frog splash for another two count. Rollins choked Knight in the corner. The crowd sang his song. “That’s what it sounds like when you’re a god!” he told Knight. Seth stomped at Knight’s chest and posed repeatedly. Knight finally caught his boot and fought out of the corner with right hands. Knight hit a leaping clothesline, then a Russian Leg Sweep. Jey returned, but ate a leaping neckbreaker. Punk took a Powerslam. Knight was in firm control as the match approached 13:00. He gave the champion a spike DDT, then popped to his feet. Knight hit his signature top rope elbow to Seth, then sized him up for the B.F.T. Jey broke it up with a Superkick.
Knight and Jey battled to the corner. Knight attempted a Superplex, but Jey blocked. Punk slid in underneath for the tower spot, taking them both down with a Powerbomb. Rollins returned, dragging Punk out to the apron. They teetered over the table set up below, teasing Piledrivers and Powerbombs. Seth raked Punk’s eyes. Knight clotheslined Seth. Knight bumped Punk off the apron, sending him into the table. It only partially broke. Knight hit Rollins with a B.F.T. and hooked the leg, but Jey broke it up at the last moment. “It’s a permanent grimace for Jey Uso,” Barrett said at Jey clutched at his ribs. He and Knight traded blows alone in the ring. Knight tossed Jey to the floor and caught him with a dropkick through the middle rope. Uso went flying into the French announce desk.
“What is Knight cooking up here?” Barrett asked. Knight slammed Jey into the desk repeatedly. Rollins stepped in and suffered the same fate. Knight cleared the desk and laid Seth out on the table. He climbed to the middle rope, looking for the elbow. Jey tried to stop him, but Knight kicked him away. The slight hesitation allowed Seth to roll to safety. Knight crashed and burned through the table. Seth caught Jey with a Superkick in the ring. Jey shrugged it off and hit one of his own. Uso charged, looking for a spear. Rollins picked him out of the air for a Pedigree. He covered for a near fall at 20:10.
Rollins went for a Phoenix Splash, but Jey moved. Seth landed on his feet. Jey caught him with a Spear. He climbed to the top and hit the Uso Splash for a cover and near fall, broken up by a flying CM Punk elbow. Punk hoisted Jey up for the G.T.S. and connected He covered, but Rollins stomped Punk and covered. Punk kicked at two. Seth told Punk that he hated him and his family. “I want you to go away,” he said. Rollins saw a stirring Uso on the floor and gave him a stomp. He stomped LA Knight in the table wreckage. Rollins retrieved a steel chair and opened it up. He put Punk between it, looking for another stomp. Punk moved. Seth stomped the chair. Punk hit him with a GTS. Seth hit the ropes and fell back into Punk’s arms. Punk called for a second Go to Sleep. Suddenly, Punk was l0w-blowed by a hooded figure. He collapsed in a heap. The person removed their hood. It was Becky Lynch. Rollins gave Punk a Stomp and covered him for a three count.
WINNER: Seth Rollins in 24:48 to retain the World Heavyweight Championship
“Behind every man is a great woman,” Cole said. Becky helped her husband to his feet and handed him his World title. They celebrated over Punk.
(LeClair’s Analysis: Good match, with all the typical multi-person flair of a WWE style main event. It helped having four guys who were supremely over with the crowd. It never really seemed as though the crowd was buying in to the false finishes until the final couple of minutes, largely because it seemed as though they only thought Rollins and Punk really had an avenue to win. They were incredibly heavy-handed in their approach to Rollins “being alone” going into this one, so much that they more or less telegraphed a debut or new allegiance. Becky makes sense. I think it’s time to test the onscreen chemistry between the duo in a way that doesn’t feel completely forced like their initial pairing did. Still, they’re fighting an uphill battle trying to get either of them booed, especially on major events like this where the crowd is just ecstatic to see all the big stars.)
FINAL THOUGHTS: There wasn’t a ton of news coming out of this show, but I thought it was a strong outing from the top of the card, aided significantly by an incredibly hot crowd in Paris that was excited to make the show memorable. Both Cena vs. Paul and the 4-Way main event over-delivered in terms of expectations, and Becky Lynch’s joining of the Vision felt like a relatively significant moment that pushes that group forward creatively, and also begs the question of a possible return for the long sought-after AJ Lee. A fun afternoon of wrestling and a thumbs up.
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