Lyra Valkyria continued to fly “fowl” as she headlined this week’s WWE Main Event, which also saw a young prospect looking to spread his wings and a pair of curious booking decisions.
Carmelo Hayes vs. Ricky Saints
- Result: Hayes def. Saints by pinfall after a First 48
- Takeaway: These two enemies might make better friends.
Saints dominated the majority of this match. The more it looked like a squash, the more it seemed likely that Hayes would prevail.
Guess who won the pony?
Hayes countered a second Rochambeau attempt with an armdrag, then caught Saints as he was getting up with a First 48 to score the win.
I don’t know what to make of that.
At Night of Champions, Saints came up short against U.S. Champ Trick Williams. Two weeks ago, Saints returned to TV, beating Matt Cardona on this show. It seemed like a step forward.
But then he lost to Hayes, whose only match on SmackDown this month was a no-contest against Williams that served only to set up Baron Corbin’s return.
Saints and Hayes have been at each other for months, each vying for Williams’ title. But like getting caught in quicksand, the more they fight, the more they seem to sink.
At this point, WWE ought to consider teaming them up. They have good chemistry as opponents. Maybe it could translate into a partnership that pulls them out of a hole while breathing new life into SmackDown’s dreadful tag division.
The LWO vs. Harlem Lewis & Harley Riggins
- Result: The LWO def. Lewis & Riggins by submission, Cross Armbar
- Takeaway: Keep an eye on Riggins.
It’s a good sign when talent from NXT or Evolve gets to work with main roster stars on Main Event. It suggests WWE sees something in a prospect as they work with the vets under the bright lights and in front of a big crowd.
For Riggins, an up-and-comer with less than 50 matches on his resume and whose time has been spent in Evolve and LFG, this was a huge step up.
And he looked good. He showed more charisma than Lewis, the new Evolve Champion, taunting fans during their entrance. Later, after dropping Cruz Del Toro with a forearm, he spotted a camera and began mugging for viewers.
Ultimately, though, it was the newbie tasked with taking the L, tapping out to a flying cross armbar from Joaquin Wilde.
As for Lewis, his last match on Main Event was on the June 19 episode, a loss to Otis. As I said then, he’s not bad. He just doesn’t do anything between moves to stand out.
Example: He hit a sweet gutwrench into a backbreaker, then went for a pin. Props to him for acting shocked when it didn’t net a win.
That’s good.
But stopping to pose and play to the crowd, encouraging them to make noise? That would’ve been more entertaining.
WWE Women’s Speed Champion Wren Sinclair vs. Lyra Valkyria (non-title)
- Result: Valkyria def. Sinclair by submission with a Bulldog Choke
- Takeaway: Lyra remains committed, but fans aren’t buying (yet).
Lyra exorcised some demons after beating Bayley at Saturday Night’s Main Event. However, she’s still possessed, as evident by her disheveled look and nasty ring work.
Against Sinclair, she targeted the neck, slingshotting her throat-first into the bottom rope. Near the end, Lyra tried to run Sinclair into the ropes throat-first, but Sinclair’s head went under the ropes instead.
All of it was leading to Lyra using her new finisher, a Bulldog Choke, which she locked in moments later for the win.
While brutalizing Sinclair, Lyra remembered to stop and mock the fans, who barely responded. It should be noted that this match was filmed this past Monday before Raw in Los Angeles, in front of a crowd that seemed lifeless at times during the main show.
Certainly, Lyra is doing everything right to get over as a heel. She’s more aggressive, her offense is less flashy, and she’s showing disdain for fans. Time will tell if L.A. was a bad crowd or if there’s a deeper disconnect that needs addressing.
Also, during the match, commentary talked up her feud with Bayley, suggesting there’s more to come.
The Final Bell
Besides Hayes downing Saints, I was surprised to see Sinclair get called up only to lose. This Tuesday on NXT, she defends the Women’s Speed Championship against Zaria. If Sinclair survives, she’ll face Zaria in the future for the Women’s North American crown.
If Sinclair had to be on this show, a win over a different opponent might have been a good way to promote that match, especially since commentary touched on it.
Clearly, WWE isn’t worried about this dulling Sinclair’s shine, so fans probably shouldn’t put much stock in it, either. To do so would be critical of WWE’s creative. And as Chief Content Officer Paul Levesque told Busted Open on Wednesday, fans should focus more on supporting the wrestlers than chastising the production he leads.
In that case, let’s go, Zaria — it’s your time. Here’s to you becoming NXT’s next double champ.
Sorry, Wren.
