Superstars: June 28, 2040
We open with Lisa Benton addressing the fact that Brandon Reigns surrendered his invitation for the King of the Ring tournament. Therefore, for tonight's main event, 20 men will compete in an over-the-top-rope battle royal where the winner will receive that invitation as the prize. It's vital that all of the players are in place as the tournament kicks off tomorrow night on SmackDown!. Also tonight, Michael Haywood of the Play Pals will face off against King Kavovit of the Royal Effect.
First Match: Martyn LaSalle vs. Joey Osbourne
It's always nice to open with some hot cruiserweight goodness. LaSalle obviously needs the rub here as he's looking to not only challenge for the Cruiserweight Title but also compete in the King of the Tournament. LaSalle has a few brief moments where he looks over his shoulder as if keeping an eye out for Hotbody and any shenanigans he may be up to but none arise. LaSalle scores the tap out win after locking in the Martynizer. ****1/2, 83% overall.
That 83% gives me pause that this might be a dud show.
Backstage, Paul Andrews leaves the locker room of his client, Conner Buchanan but runs into the Intercontinental Champion Brandon Reigns. Reigns wonders how the preparation is going for tonight. After all, Buchanan is one of the poor desperate sheep that's going to be in tonight's battle royal. Reigns declares that he will be watching it all unfold with amusement. Andrews comments on what a paradox Brandon Reigns is. Here is someone who has come so far yet fallen even further at the same time. Reigns brings up how the two of them had a bit of a thing going way back when, kind of like what he had with Jake Connelly...and we all saw how that turned out. Andrews makes it clear that he has no interest in crossing Reigns in a match but warns that any client under his watch won't be so understanding.
Second Match: Leah vs. Missy Brantley
Leah isn't letting Night of Champions get her down. She's in prime form here as Nathan Quinn talks her up on commentary and rips Jenna Kyle for being a selfish idiot for not accepting his offer. Brantley makes a comeback and it's evidently enough to cause Quinn to leave the announce team and offer some aide. The distraction is enough for Leah to take advantage and hit the Sultry Splash for the win. ****1/2, 82% overall.
Yup, it's a dud show. My first in 4.2.
Third Match: The British Infection vs. Galino & Farnes
I should get Galino & Farnes a manager or something. Anyway, this is just some solid tag team action to give the crowd a cheap pop for the face victory. The Brits hit Farnes with the Queen's English to pick up the pin. ****1/2, 81% overall.
I love how in this game, being a dud show doesn't affect the star ratings. Had this been 3.0, that match would have been a **1/2.
Backstage, Madison is with her client, Alexander Piero. Piero knew that he'd eventually hit a rough patch on his rise through the ranks, he just didn't expect it to come in the form of decorated stars like Orlando Kincaid the World Champion himself. Some people would look at what happened on Raw and beg Piero to pick his battles a little better. Well, too late for that now because he's in the King of the Ring tournament and his first round opponent is none other than Orlando Kincaid. Who knows? First Kincaid, and then the World Title at SummerSlam?
Fourth Match: Michael Haywood vs. King Kavovit
Let the feud begin! This is, of course, stemming from the Royal Effect messing things up for the Play Pals at Night of Champions. Even the power of the almight DUD show can't stop these guys as Moses McKay lends a helping hand behind the ref's back and hits Haywood with the Mass Effect allowing Kavovit to pick up the pin. Gavin Jones chases the heels off afterwards. *****, 89% overall.
Backstage, Tania talks about wanting to be in line to challenge the new Women's Champion but she still has some unfinished business with Billie Padgett. She talks about needing to impress in order to get that recognition.
Fifth Match: Wolves of Wall Street vs. The Dillingers
More awesome tag team action. I feel bad pushing the Dillingers aside in the meantime but I have to give some other teams a shot at the champs. Ben Dillinger gets the pin over Hughes after a Frog Splash. *****, 86% overall. I give the finger to DUD shows.
In-Ring Super Special Talky Time with Hannah McCormick who shares Leah's frustration at how Night of Champions turned out. All Jenna and Faith did was buy themselves another day. Neither one of them can measure up to Hannah's star power. Maybe it's better for them if they take their little hugfest home and stay there because the people demand REAL women who are about getting things done. Faith is the worst of the worst because she suckers all of the people and gives nothing in return. Everyone here and watching at home should be ashamed of themselves for settling for a common street punk like Faith! Naturally, all of these insults aren't sitting well with Faith and she takes it upon herself to interrupt the tirade AND WE HAVE OURSELVES A CATFIGHT! Joey Styles, do your thing!
MAIN EVENT: 20-Man Battle Royal for the final spot in the King of the Ring Tournament.
Your participants: Blaine Bellamey, Conner Buchanan, Daniel St. Croix, Doug Michaels, El Silencio, Hugo, Isaac Wolff, Jerome McDougal, Jesse Capalbo, Julian Merrick, Marc Fury, Mathias, Patrick Dean Quartermaine, Rick Hilton, Robbie Greer, Seth Von Kamp, Stanley Coleman, Steve Hayes, Tom Foley, and Zachary Vale. The seeds for a Wyldhearts/Future Foundation feud are planted as they eliminate each other and crush poor Vivian Merrick in the process. It comes down to Conner Buchanan and Seth Von Kamp. Von Kamp is able to capitalize on Buchanan being pre-occupied with Brandon Reigns on the outside and thus gets the final elimination and goes on to the King of the Ring! 72% overall.
Overall show rating: 86%