On the May 8th episode of Monday Night Raw, Seth Rollins took a giant leap towards winning the World Heavyweight Championship.
On the red brand, Rollins saw off Damian Priest and Shinsuke Nakamura in a Triple Threat Match before getting the better of Finn Balor in the main event.
The tournament continued on SmackDown with no less than five former World Champions in action.
In the first Triple Threat Match Edge took on AJ Styles and Rey Mysterio. While Mysterio’s popularity never dips and it was Styles’ first match back since suffering a serious injury in late 2022, it was Edge who emerged as the sentimental favourite. The WWE Hall of Famer has been open about the fact his career is coming to an end and stated that becoming the World Champion would be the perfect way to bring the curtain down.
However, it was Styles who grabbed the win via a Phenomenal Forearm after a wildly entertaining contest.
In the second Triple Threat Match, Bobby Lashley overcame a nasty meeting with the steel steps to get the better of Austin Theory and Sheamus. With Theory trapped in the Hurt Lock, Sheamus hit the United States Champion with a Brogue Kick, but Lashley threw the Irish star out of the ring quickly pinning Theory.
With a WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP opportunity on the line, these men are giving each other EVERYTHING they've got! 🏆
Who will face @WWERollins at #WWENOC? @fightbobby or @AJStylesOrg? 🔥#SmackDownpic.twitter.com/qHyDKZdF6S
— WWE (@WWE) May 13, 2023
World Heavyweight Championship Tournament Final Confirmed
This set up a final between AJ Styles and Bobby Lashley, who were both looking to climb back to the top of the WWE mountain once more.
The story of the match came down to Lashley trying to overpower Styles, while the Phenomenal One tried to take advantage of the cut on the All-Mighty’s head that he sustained earlier in the show.
Lashley appeared to have the match won more than once, but it was Styles who picked up the victory via a Phenomenal Forearm. SmackDown went off the air with Styles and the rest of The O.C. celebrating in the ring.
AJ Styles will now take on Seth Rollins at Night of Champions in Saudi Arabia on May 27th.