Henry's World

With Summerslam now on the horizon, the card will begin to take shape in Raw's main event, as Shinsuke Nakamura taking on Jinder Mahal. With both men wanting a US Championship match, the winner will face Rusev at The Biggest Party of the Summer. Plus, DIY look to keep their hot streak going, Sasha Banks goes one on one with Mickie James and Finn Balor calls out Braun Strowman! Universe Mode Monday Night Raw July 31st, 2017 Location: Reno, NV Looking for Opportunity After agreeing to team up on the last episode of Raw, Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins now went to the office of Shane McMahon. They wanted a chance to put themselves in the title picture, and Shane agreed. Next week, Ambrose and Rollins will face former champions, American Alpha. If they can pick up the win, he'll consider giving them a title match. Mickie James vs Sasha Banks This was a highly competitive, hard fought match to kick off the show, as Sasha Banks and Mickie James squared off. The ...

Hey everyone, it's Henry. I apologize for the lack of communication from me recently about my Universe Mode content. A lot of my shows have been going up on the wrong date, been abnormally short or straight up cancelled. While you could probably guess why this has been happening, it'll be better if I lay it out myself. So here goes. On August 20th, 2017, Henry's Universe Mode will officially come to an end. It's been a hell of a ride, and this decision is among the most difficult I've ever made for this blog. The Summerslam pay-per-view will mark the end to over a year and a half of content. For those who enjoy my Universe Mode posts, this isn't a huge cause for concern. I will be back later in the year with a brand new project, one that I'm very excited about and I've been planning for awhile. If you want the explanation of why this decision has been made, it's actually quite simple. I just don't enjoy making Henry's Universe Mode anym...

Contrary to what you may think having read some of my recent reviews, I don't love to hate on SmackDown. In fact, post-brand split SmackDown was among my favorite shows, and Backlash 2016 was incredible, currently my favorite post-split pay-per-view. But even if I tried to make this as fair as possible, there was no saving this show. It was a trainwreck pretty much throughout with one incredible match and a boatload of terrible ones. Let's get into it already. Battleground 2016 Score: 8/10 - Hey, remember Battleground 2016? That was pretty fun. - We kicked off with a banger, as the Usos and the New Day got the show off to a really hot start. To their credit, the tag teams on SmackDown have really stepped it up lately, and it showed. An excellent back and forth match with tons of close near falls, and ended with Xavier Woods nearly flying into orbit. Good stuff. - It's all downhill from here, folks. Hey, remember Shinsuke Nakamura? He was pretty fun, ...

For centuries, mankind has fought. Battles have been fought, wars have been waged. Wars over food, wars over land, wars over beliefs. But there are lines that few are willing to cross, the lines that signify the ultimate end of peace. Some are willing to cross; most never will. Tonight, those battle lines have been drawn once more. Factions will go to war, mutual enemies will engage in fights more personal than ever, with nothing more than pride and glory at stake. But who will be willing to cross the ultimate line, and who will be able to survive............the Battleground. And now, SmackDown presents....................Battleground! Universe Mode Battleground July 23rd, 2017 Location: New York City, NY Official Battleground Theme Song- "This Is A War"- The Phantoms John Cena vs Kenny Omega We kicked off the show in a big way, as John Cena went one on one with Kenny Omega. These two men put on a technical classic in our opening matc...

Tonight, following the ending to last week's show, we will see Sanity take on Kassius Ohno and NXT Champion Hideo Itami. Plus, NXT Women's Champion Natalya in action, Adam Cole calls out Apollo Crews and much more! Universe Mode NXT July 19th, 2017 Location: Full Sail University British Strong Style vs TM-61 The impressive duo of Tyler Bate and Pete Dunne were in action once more under the watchful eye of William Regal. Although Shane Thorne and Nick Miller put up a hell of a fight, perhaps the best anyone has looked against the young Brits thus far, they were felled with a vicious gutbuster/punt kick combo. Afterward, Regal announced that in two weeks, on the August 2nd edition of NXT, Dunne and Bate will take on one of the best unsigned tag teams in the world today. The winners will be the new number one contenders, and face the Authors of Pain at the next Takeover show. Winners: British Strong Style Natalya vs Ruby Riot NXT's Women's Cham...

After weeks of the Fashion Police searching for answers, it appears SmackDown GM Daniel Bryan has beaten them to the punch. Bryan has procured the security footage from Money in the Bank, and plans to show and reveal the culprit this Sunday at Battleground. Tonight, with a massive winner take all match looming, the Wyatt Family and The Club go to war, with three singles matches between the two factions. Plus, Bayley and Alexa Bliss team up, Randy Orton prepares for his next title defense, a Kenny Omega interview and more! Universe Mode SmackDown Live July 18th, 2017 Location: Baltimore, MD Erick Rowan vs Luke Gallows We opened up this war of factions with the two enforcers facing off, as Erick Rowan faced Luke Gallows. Although Rowan showed an impressive arsenal in this match, including a top rope sidewalk slam, Gallows had a little bit more, connecting with a Gallows Pole for the pinfall. Winner: Luke Gallows Randy Orton vs Heath Slater Although Daniel Bry...

YEAOH! Tonight, for the first time since Payback, Strong Style has arrived on Monday Night Raw, as Shinsuke Nakamura faces Sheamus. Plus, #DIY look for another win, Dean Ambrose has a proposal for Seth Rollins, Becky Lynch makes her first appearance as champion and Samoa Joe faces Austin Aries. Universe Mode Monday Night Raw July 17th, 2017 Location: Milwaukee, WI Shinsuke Nakamura vs Sheamus The King of Strong Style made his return in grand fashion, as he showed off all of his impressive arsenal. Try as he might, Sheamus couldn't keep up with the vicious kicks and surprising power of Nakamura, and eventually fell to a Kinshasa. Winner: Shinsuke Nakamura Shinsuke Nakamura Promo He then took to the mic to issue a statement. As always, he kept it short and to the point, as he called out Rusev for a rematch of their first meeting at Payback, but this time, for the United States Championship. A Proposal We then saw Dean Ambrose approach Seth Rollins backs...

Welcome back to NXT, where Sanity has taken over. Aleister Black is in for a stiff challenge as he faces Eric Young, Nikki Cross takes on former champion Ember Moon and the monstrous Killian Dain meets Kassius Ohno in the main event. Universe Mode NXT July 12th, 2017 Location: Full Sail University Aleister Black vs Eric Young This was a dominant performance from the Anti-Hero, Aleister Black, who showed off his impressive arsenal of strikes and suplexes. Eric Young never really had a chance to get into this match, and soon he was only fighting just to survive. The result was inevitable, with the Black Mass connecting not once but twice, knocking EY clean out. Winner: Aleister Black A Chat Backstage, we saw Adam Cole enter the office of William Regal. After an impressive win over Apollo Crews last week, it was clear that Cole is looking for another shot at Hideo Itami, but will he get it? Andrade Almas vs Noam Dar The psychology of the Scottish Supernova N...

During the week, GM Daniel Bryan confirmed another match for SmackDown's next pay-per-view, Battleground. Randy Orton will defend his Intercontinental Championship against Baron Corbin, who won his right to challenge last week, in a No Holds Barred match. Tonight, in a rematch from Money in the Bank, Bayley will defend her SmackDown Women's Championship against Charlotte, with the winner facing Emma at Battleground. Plus, AJ Styles issues a challenge, Kenny Omega is in action and more! Universe Mode SmackDown Live July 11th, 2017 Location: Denver, CO Tye Dillinger vs Fandango The latest clue in the Fashion Police's investigation seemed to point toward a member of the Money in the Bank ladder match being the culprit. Believing the assailant to be the Perfect Ten, Deputy Dango went one on one with Tye Dillinger. The two put on a very even, back and forth contest, with Tyler Breeze looking on from ringside, handing out tickets to fashion faux pas in the c...

I already did the gag with the song lyrics...................it was a really good show? - When Bray Wyatt and Seth Rollins are going on first, that's when you know you got a hell of a card on your hands. This was a surprisingly stiff match, the trend of the night, especially considering there was almost no heat in this feud. Bray has apparently finally realized he's a heel, cheating to win with an eye poke. - Big Cass got some new music, and it's pretty trash. And hey Enzo cut a great, lengthy promo! Then promptly got slaughtered. Next! - There has been lots of cracks on social media about how often Cesaro and Sheamus and the Hardy Boyz have fought each other over the last couple months, but they seem to always deliver on pay-per-view. They told a great story in their Iron Man match, with the heels maintaining the advantage throughout. In the end, those dastardly Kilt Bros escaped with the gold and a hat tip from yours truly. - Alexa Bliss is a very interest...

In the world of professional wrestling, there are many enemies. It's a simple law of nature; to succeed, you must fight. But plenty take it beyond the usual bounds. Many do not wish to just fight, but rather dismantle and destroy. Those that follow this path are viewed as outcasts, but we live in a world of pain. Hatred is mutual, and destruction is shared. Tonight, men and women will seek to destroy their rivals and embraced their hatred. Their actions may shorten their careers, may leave permanent scars but for them, the price is worth it. Tonight may be the end, but tomorrow is a new beginning. And now, Raw presents...................................Bad Blood! Universe Mode Bad Blood July 9th, 2017 Location: Dayton, OH Official Bad Blood Theme Song- "Seek and Destroy"- Metallica #DIY vs Lucha Dragons We opened Bad Blood with tag team action, as Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa faced Kalisto and Sin Cara. Much has been made about...

Goodness, gracious, what a card. Pre-Show- Cruiserweight Championship Match- Neville vs Akira Tozawa My Prediction: The King bests the brand Although I was unhappy to see this match get bumped to the pre-show, it should tell you just how stacked this card is. I sincerely doubt we get a title change here, although it's likely that Tozawa does become champ down the line. Raw Tag Team Championship Match- Cesaro and Sheamus vs The Hardy Boyz My Prediction: Old man power How many times in wrestling do we get an Iron Man tag team match? It's a really cool stipulation that should lead to another excellent match between these two teams. With The Revival now back on Raw, I imagine that they will challenge for the belts at SS, meaning the faces go over here. Intercontinental Championship Match- The Miz vs Dean Ambrose My Prediction: Never bet against the numbers game I mean, Miz did basically just create a new stable. He ain't losing here. Enzo Amore vs Bi...

One week after a hellacious NXT Championship Match, both Adam Cole and champion Hideo Itami are in action. Cole looks to prove one of his doubters wrong as he faces Apollo Crews, while Itami takes on Cedric Alexander in our main event, who is looking to rebound from his own loss last week. Plus, Pete Dunne and Tyler Bate in tag team action, and Carmella goes one on one with Nikki Cross. Universe Mode NXT July 5th, 2017 Location: Full Sail University Adam Cole vs Apollo Crews Apollo Crews unleashed a hail of trash talk during last week's main event, calling Adam Cole a "loser" and "cheap imitation of a professional wrestler". Cole would subsequently challenge Crews to meet him in the ring, leading to a quite vicious encounter to open NXT. The Elite Athlete Apollo Crews was obviously looking to make an example out of Adam Cole, to prove that he is championship caliber. Despite taking a lot of offense throughout the match, the Panama City Playboy...

Since Money in the Bank, Tyler Breeze and Fandango have been hard at work trying to find out who attacked Fandango. Adopting roles as "Fashion Police", they've been interrogating suspects from all walks of life. Finally, a clue has emerged: a piece of fabric found at the crime scene, with suspicious leopard print and the letter "G". Breeze and Fandango have surmised that the culprits are Enzo and Big Cass, working together to help Cass have a better shot at winning the briefcase. Tonight, these four men will face off in tag team action. Plus, Baron Corbin begins his path to revenge, Bayley defends her championship, Cesaro prepares for Battleground and AJ Styles takes on John Cena. Universe Mode SmackDown Live July 4th, 2017 Location: Rosemont, IL Cesaro vs Bo Dallas The Inspirational Bo Dallas, with a little help from Social Outcasts partner Curtis Axel, took the fight to Cesaro in our opening contest. With a big Loser Leaves SmackDown match w...

Last week, Finn Balor challenged Samoa Joe to meet him in the ring, six days before their championship collision at Bad Blood. Will the champion accept? Plus, the Golden Truth prepare for their championship match, while Paige and Becky Lynch face off in tag team action and United States Champion Chris Jericho returns to Raw. Universe Mode Monday Night Raw July 3rd, 2017 Location: Philadelphia, PA Golden Truth vs New Day After winning the battle royal last week to become number one contenders, Goldust and R-Truth were out to prove it wasn't a fluke as they battled the New Day. Despite an unimpressive record during their time on Raw, the Golden Truth looked quite good on this night, as they took it to Big E and Kofi Kingston. For the second week in a row, Goldust took out Kofi, this time with a Final Cut, to keep the momentum going for the Golden Truth. Winners: Golden Truth The Champ is Here We then cut backstage, where Samoa Joe was making his w...