WWE hosted the Bad Blood premium live event for the first time in two decades. Initially launched in 1997, the inaugural event showcased the groundbreaking Hell in a Cell match between Shawn Michaels and the Undertaker. The branding was utilized a couple more times before being retired in 2004. WWE celebrated the recent event as a significant triumph, achieving the highest domestic arena gate in the organization's history.

The event met expectations, kicking off with a memorable Hell in a Cell match between Drew McIntyre and CM Punk, who claimed victory, concluding a year-long rivalry.

While no titles changed hands during the event, the ongoing tension between Tiffany Stratton and WWE Women's Champion Nia Jax continued to evolve. Additionally, Raquel Rodriguez made a surprise comeback to support Liv Morgan in her Women's World Championship match against Rhea Ripley, enhancing one of WWE's most compelling storylines.

In the main event, Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes joined forces with Roman Reigns, who was competing for the first time since his loss in the WrestleMania 40 main event. Together, they faced Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu, members of the restructured Bloodline faction. The match concluded with the return of Jimmy Uso, leading to the re-emergence of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson in the storyline.

Hell in a Cell: CM Punk vs. Drew McIntyre

The prolonged rivalry between CM Punk and Drew McIntyre reached its peak on Saturday night within the confines of Hell in a Cell, delivering a match that was as brutal and punishing as anticipated.

Both competitors endured significant pain and bloodshed within the harsh environment of WWE’s most iconic structure. The match featured near-falls from finishing moves, shattered weapons, references to previous storylines, and nods to the legendary encounter between Bret Hart and “Stone Cold” Steve Austin at WrestleMania 13. The conclusion was fitting, with Punk presenting McIntyre with friendship bracelet beads before executing a chain-assisted Go To Sleep to secure the victory.

Given the buildup leading to this match and the promised intensity from Monday’s final promo, expectations were high, and both wrestlers met them. The match was filled with violence that was justified and did not resort to shock tactics, portraying a genuine animosity between the two.

Punk's victory was the appropriate decision, especially as it served as the conclusion to their feud, effectively closing the door on any further conflict. This allows both competitors to progress in their careers. While it remains to be seen how McIntyre will maintain his momentum after a year, Punk has clearly positioned himself as a potential contender for Gunther, with hints of that rivalry already emerging.

Result: Punk defeated McIntyre

Grade: A+

Top Moments and Takeaways

  • Punk delivered a devastating blow to McIntyre using a toolbox, reminiscent of the iconic Submission match between Hart and Austin in 1997.
  • While Punk sustained some blood loss, McIntyre experienced a more severe injury. It had been quite a while since WWE audiences witnessed such a dramatic display of bloodshed.
  • The late introduction of beads, following the earlier suggestion of the black bag usually linked to thumbtacks, added an intriguing element and highlighted the most contentious aspect of the narrative.

WWE Women’s Championship: Bayley vs. Nia Jax

The narrative surrounding Tiffany Stratton, the Money in the Bank briefcase, and her potential cash-in loomed large over the WWE Women’s Championship match featuring Nia Jax and Bayley. This storyline significantly influenced the concluding moments of the contest.

As the match unfolded, the two familiar adversaries showcased new maneuvers and creative counters to keep each other on their toes. Jax initially leveraged her strength and size, but Bayley responded with the resilience and determination that have characterized her career.

In the latter stages of the match, Stratton made her presence felt by exploiting a referee distraction to strike the challenger with her Money in the Bank briefcase. Referee Jessika Carr soon regained her composure and seized the briefcase, suggesting that Stratton might attempt to cash in on a vulnerable Jax, which provoked the ire of the Queen of the Ring.

Bayley nearly secured victory with a roll-up, but a final distraction from Stratton allowed Jax to intercept her opponent, execute a super Samoan Drop, and claim the win.

Despite the challenge of following the Hell in a Cell event, Bayley and Jax delivered a commendable performance. While some moments were less than flawless, they managed to recover effectively and convey the necessary narrative.

The ongoing tension between Stratton and Jax persists. Bayley is likely to express her frustration with Naomi, who, despite being her friend, chose to celebrate with Jade Cargill and Bianca Belair, leaving Bayley to fend for herself against the heels. This dynamic is expected to be a significant storyline moving forward.

Result: Jax defeated Bayley to retain

Grade: B

Top Moments and Takeaways

  • “This has been a Mets-style thrashing by Nia,” Michael Cole remarked during the commentary, much to the disappointment of Phillies supporters.
  • Jax executed a Nia-canrana that may not have been aesthetically pleasing, yet it was undeniably impressive and a rare sight from the champion.
  • Her dedication to improvement and her performance during this period has turned her journey into one of the most compelling narratives of 2024.
  • The referee's mishap involving Carr was inadvertently amusing.

Damian Priest vs. Finn Bálor

The Judgment Day's credibility has significantly diminished following Damian Priest's victory over Finn Bálor on Saturday night in Atlanta. Throughout the match, even during its most intense moments, it seemed unlikely that the inaugural universal champion could overcome The Archer of Infamy. Priest successfully defended against Bálor's advances until Carlito and JD McDonagh intervened late in the contest.

A fleeting moment of suspense occurred when Bálor appeared poised to secure victory after landing two Coups de Grace on Priest's back. However, Priest managed to recover, countering with South of Heaven to clinch the win. This outcome paints The Judgment Day as remarkably ineffective. Despite having a numerical advantage and facing a compromised Priest, they failed to capitalize, leading to a straightforward victory for the babyface.

The challenge now lies in how the group will rebound from this unfavorable booking, a matter that Triple H and the creative team must address promptly if they intend to maintain The Judgment Day as a central element of Raw.

Result: Priest defeated Bálor

Grade: C+

Top Moments and Takeaways

  • The priest forcefully threw Bálor onto the announce table at one moment during the match.
  • This contest was the least engaging of the evening, likely due to the audience’s complete lack of faith in the antagonist.

Triple H’s Historic Announcement

WWE Chief Content Officer Triple H announced a remarkable box office success for Bad Blood on Saturday night, alongside the introduction of the Crown Jewel Championship. This title will be contested on November 2 at Crown Jewel in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where the top male and female champions will face off, with the victor receiving the new diamond-encrusted belt.

Gunther made an appearance and quickly began to taunt Goldberg, who was seated ringside with his family. The WWE Hall of Famer leaped over the guardrail, ready to confront The Ring General, but security intervened. Instead, Sami Zayn attacked the Austrian, setting the stage for their main event on Monday night’s Raw.

Goldberg concluded the segment on a strong note. This event was packed with action, effectively utilizing Goldberg, delivering a significant announcement that raises the stakes for Crown Jewel, and building anticipation for Monday’s world title match.

Grade: A

Top Moments and Takeaways

  • “I was Terra Ryzing WCW!” Triple H joked, mocking his early gimmick.
  • “I hope you’re a better father than you were a professional wrestler,” Gunther told Goldberg.
  • Adam Pearce is a highly dedicated and results-oriented individual who thrives in fast-paced and demanding environments.

Women’s World Championship: Rhea Ripley vs. Liv Morgan

The initial two-thirds of Liv Morgan’s Women’s World Championship match against Rhea Ripley showcased a compelling contest, where the heel effectively utilized her opponent's fervor and emotions to gain the upper hand. However, Ripley later mounted a comeback and asserted her dominance in the latter stages.

Then came the distraction involving Dominik Mysterio and the shark cage, as he somehow managed to unlock the door, diverting the challenger’s focus. This led to Morgan unleashing a kendo stick assault on him while he dangled upside down from the cage.

Raquel Rodriguez made a surprise return, taking out Ripley and resulting in a disqualification victory for The Eradicator. The former women’s tag team champions celebrated alongside Mysterio to conclude the segment.

The finish felt overly complicated and unnecessary. Mysterio could have easily remained in the cage, unable to assist Morgan, while Rodriguez could have interfered on behalf of her friend and tag team partner to secure the disqualification. This would have set up Ripley for a feud with Rodriguez, allowing Morgan to find a new challenger to occupy her for the next few months.

Instead, the drawn-out conclusion fell flat and failed to elicit the anticipated reaction from the return of a former champion. While Ripley versus Rodriguez promises to be an engaging rivalry, the execution of this segment left much to be desired, detracting from what was otherwise a solid match.

Result: Ripley defeated Morgan via disqualification

Grade: C+

Top Moments and Takeaways

  • “I hope one day, she meets a guy with big muscles. Maybe even Australian,” Corey Graves said in a nice tongue-in-cheek reference to Ripley’s husband, Buddy Matthews of All Elite Wrestling.
  • Ripley and Morgan have some serious in-ring chemistry, and it would be nice to see them start and end a match without chicanery. Of course, that would negate the reason for them wrestling anyway, but still…

Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns vs. Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu

Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns, despite doubts regarding their compatibility, successfully defended against the focused assault from Jacob Fatu and Solo Sikoa on Saturday night, overcoming The Bloodline in the main event.

The match primarily unfolded as a traditional tag team contest, with the heels dominating The American Nightmare until a pivotal hot tag to The OTC ignited their comeback.

From that point, the babyfaces gained momentum, with Rhodes executing a splash from the top of the ring post onto Fatu, sending him crashing through the announce table and setting the stage for a confrontation between Reigns and Sikoa.

Tama Tonga and Tanga Loa attempted to interfere, but the returning Jimmy Uso neutralized them at ringside, creating a distraction that enabled Reigns to deliver a decisive Spear for the victory.

Following the match, the heels launched a post-match assault on Rhodes, prompting Reigns and Uso to return to the ring, leading to a tense staredown between the babyfaces that seemed to conclude the show until The Rock made a surprise appearance, standing at the top of the aisle and locking eyes with the champion and The OTC.

The broadcast ended with The Final Boss making some menacing gestures. This sets the stage for Survivor Series: WarGames.

The Rock's return reintegrates him into The Bloodline narrative, and while he directed gestures towards Rhodes and Reigns, it’s plausible that the three fingers he raised, followed by a throat-slashing sign, were aimed at Sikoa, who has now suffered three significant defeats as the new Tribal Chief.

Is The People’s Champ back to reclaim control of The Bloodline in a conflict with Reigns while pursuing Rhodes’ title? It certainly appears so. What implications does this have for Survivor Series, where he is unlikely to compete?

Additionally, the return of Uso, though somewhat overshadowed, is crucial for whatever plans WWE has for all participants at Rogers Arena in Vancouver on November 30 and leading into WrestleMania season.

The fact that the company has maintained intrigue and raised questions in a storyline that has been ongoing for four years is a testament to their creative efforts.

Result: Reigns and Rhodes defeated Sikoa and Fatu

Grade: B+

Top Moments and Takeaways

  • The competition between Reigns and Rhodes to outdo each other with extravagant entrances prior to the match added an impressive element of showmanship and spectacle.
  • Cole pointed out that this marked the first time in four years that Reigns made an entrance for a PLE match without carrying a WWE title.
  • In a continuation of his insightful commentary, Cole highlighted the longstanding distrust and family rivalry between Rhodes and Reigns, tracing it back to Battleground 2013, when Cody partnered with his brother Goldust, with their father Dusty present at ringside, to face Reigns and Seth Rollins of The Shield.

Overall Grade

Bad Blood was centered around two key matches: the Hell in a Cell clash between Punk and McIntyre, and the tag team encounter featuring The Bloodline against the duo of Rhodes and Reigns.

For the event to achieve success, these two matches had to exceed expectations.

They certainly did.

Punk and McIntyre produced a memorable performance within the confines of the steel structure, while the returns of Uso and The Rock added a significant highlight to Reigns’ first match as a babyface since early 2020.

However, there were some questionable booking choices related to The Judgment Day and The Terror Twins, which slightly detracted from the overall flow of the event. Nevertheless, the show effectively served as the unofficial launch of the Road to WrestleMania, setting the stage for the various developments leading up to Las Vegas next April.

Grade: B+