Backstage, Dolph Ziggler says he just wanted to help Theory since he is too arrogant and he can teach him something. Finn Bálor walks in with Rhea Ripley and berates Ziggler for being just like Edge and Rey Mysterio. They want to live off of the younger talent. Ziggler decks Bálor. Ripley looks on as Ziggler asks Bálor if he’s going to lay there like a little bitch or if he’s going to come to the ring.
"POW! Right in the kisser!" – @HEELZiggler, probably#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/ORK2K9eBhr
— WWE (@WWE) August 23, 2022
Dolph Ziggler vs. Finn Bálor w/Rhea Ripley
After a series of reversals, Ziggler catches Bálor with a dropkick. Bálor sends Ziggler into the top turnbuckle. Bálor works over Ziggler. Ziggler stumbles around the ring. Bálor charges in and eats a dropkick followed by a DDT. Bálor kicks out. Ziggler calls for the Superkick. Bálor counters the Superkick but Ziggler reverses 1916 with the famouser. Ziggler shoots the half but Bálor kicks out.
Bálor hits the shotgun dropkick. Ziggler rolls out of the way to avoid the Coup de Grâce. Zig Zag by Ziggler. Bálor kicks out. After a distraction, from Ripley, Bálor hits 1916. Coup de Grâce by Bálor. Bálor pins Ziggler.
Winner- Finn Bálor
BREAKING: @itsBayleyWWE returns to the ring TONIGHT on #WWERaw against @WWE_Aliyah! pic.twitter.com/87wxz6jhSX
— WWE (@WWE) August 23, 2022
In-Ring Segment: Alpha Academy
Chad Gable notes that for the first time in their history they are going to start accepting new students. He’s starting their search in Canada but he’s regretting that because everyone here sucks, including the Maple Leafs. Against his better judgment, they are hosting an Alpha Academy Open Challenge tonight. Kevin Owens music hits.
Kevin Owens vs. Chad Gable w/Otis
Owens is all over Gable, booting him out of the ring. Gable grabs a side headlock. Owens fights out of it and lands a back elbow. Gable fires back, only to get dropped by Owens. Senton by Owens. Gable crawls to the corner. Owens calls for a cannonball. Gable rolls out of the ring. Owens follows and gets suplex out on the floor. Owens tries a powerbomb on the apron. Gable reverses it into a German suplex on the apron.
After the break, Gable is working over Owens. Owens manages to flatten Gable with a cannonball. Gable and Owens trade strikes. Patella neck breaker by Gable. Owens crushes Gable with a frog splash. Gable kicks out at 2.9. Gable avoids the pop-up powerbomb and the Stunner. Owens kicks out of Gable’s German suplex. Gable lands a diving headbutt. Owens kicks out again.
Gable sits Owens up top. Owens pushes him off. Gable hops back up top but Owens takes him off with an avalanche fishermen’s buster. Gable kicks out. Owens tries a swanton but Gable gets his knees up. Gables tries a moonsault but Owens moves out of the way. Owens pins Gable after hitting a pop-up powerbomb.
Winner- Kevin Owens
After the match, Owens tries to powerbomb Gable on the apron. Otis breaks it up. Owens drops Otis with the Stunner. Gable hits the ring and gets powerbombed on top of Otis.
Pick your #SmackDown winning team this Friday! pic.twitter.com/VkUBp5caMO
— WWE (@WWE) August 23, 2022
