WWE Stomping Grounds: Results Roundup
WWE's Stomping Grounds pay-per-view took place in Tacoma, Washington last night, and here are all the results and story developments from the event. Fan excitement was noticeably muted in the build-up to Stomping Grounds, with a somewhat underwhelming card failing to generate the usual level of PPV anticipation. Fortunately, Stomping Grounds ultimately proved to be a more enjoyable night than many had expected and has garnered a mostly positive reaction from fans online.
Delivering a handful of great matches, some unexpected highlights and a feelgood ending, Stomping Grounds' predictable results and a lack of major surprises perhaps held the PPV back to a degree. Tellingly, the WWE landscape looks barely changed heading into this week's Raw and Smackdown episodes.
Despite being relatively uneventful in terms of major story progression, two titles did change hands at WWE Stomping Grounds, and as Michael Cole has been promising for weeks, names were taken and behinds were kicked. Here are the full results from the PPV.
Drew Gulak def. Akira Tozawa and Tony Nese for the Cruiserweight Championship.
Becky Lynch def. Lacey Evans to retain the Raw Women's Championship.
Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn def. The New Day (Big E & Xavier Woods).
Ricochet def. Samoa Joe for the United States Championship.
Daniel Bryan & Rowan def. Heavy Machinery to retain the Smackdown Tag Team Championships.
Bayley def. Alexa Bliss to retain the Smackdown Women's Championship.
Roman Reigns def. Drew McIntyre.
Kofi Kingston def. Dolph Ziggler to retain the WWE Championship.
Seth Rollins def. Baron Corbin to retain the Universal Championship.
Once again relegated to the pre-show, and once again putting on a clinic, were the 205 Live roster, with Gulak, Tozawa and Nese delivering a match that was hard-hitting and athletic, but still fun to watch. Arguably the match of the night, the Tacoma crowd were unusually hot for a pre-show match, proving the worth of WWE's Cruiserweight division. Kicking off the main show, Lacey Evans' inexperience was once again apparent against Becky Lynch in a decent opening match for the Raw Women's title. Lynch perhaps took a more dominant victory than many expected, with Evans tapping out immediately to the Dis-Arm-Her.
With nothing on the line, Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn and the New Day set out to impress and their thrown-together tag team bout ended up exceeding expectations, with the heels picking up a sorely-needed win. The high-intensity action continued with the indie dream match of Ricochet vs. Samoa Joe. The U.S. title up for grabs, this match played out as expected, with Ricochet using astounding flips against Joe's efficient brutality and eventually coming out on top. This result should help establish Ricochet on the main roster, and allow Joe to move further up the card, with a feud between Ricochet and A.J. Styles teased post-match. The evening's second tag team match, Daniel Bryan & Rowan vs. Heavy Machinery, did exactly what was needed in establishing Otis and Tucker as a credible duo in Smackdown's underdeveloped tag division.
Bayley vs. Alexa Bliss proved to be one of the least memorable matches of the night, but did tease a double turn for the duo, with Bayley looking more fiery in victory and Alexa forgiving her pal Nikki Cross for some unwitting interference. Another fight that was well-received despite initial low expectations was Reigns vs. McIntyre, with Shane McMahon at ringside. Both competitors impressed, but Drew needs to start feeling more dominant very soon in order to maintain his status as a formidable heel. Next up, the WWE Champsionship cage match between Kofi Kingston and Dolph Ziggler contained some typically impressive spots, but the crowd's lack of enthusiasm for this well-worn feud was palpable.
Finally, the main event between Seth Rollins and Baron Corbin would prove to be the most divisive match of Stomping Grounds, thanks to the reveal of Lacey Evans as Corbin's special guest referee. Evans would officiate in Corbin's favor until Becky Lynch (Rollins' real-life partner) arrived to even the odds, allowing the Universal Champion an opportunity to rally and deliver the Stomp for a pinfall victory. While this was a great end to the night for fans invested in Lynch and Rollins' relationship, others (including the live crowd in attendance) appeared disappointed that the match's story didn't involve the Money In The Bank briefcase or further that particular ongoing story in any way.
WWE Extreme Rules 2019 takes place on July 14th.