WWE Bad Blood kicked off with an intense Hell in a Cell match, featuring CM Punk overcoming his long-standing rival Drew McIntyre.
Nia Jax successfully defended her women’s championship against Bayley, aided by Tiffany Stratton, while Damian Priest triumphed over Finn Balor. Additionally, Raquel Rodriguez made a surprise return to assist Liv Morgan in retaining her championship against Rhea Ripley.
Later in the event, Roman Reigns will make his return to the ring for his first match since losing his title at WrestleMania, teaming up with Cody Rhodes to face The Bloodline.
The Bad Blood event promises to deliver gripping matchups and set the tone for the remainder of the wrestling year. Coverage of the event will include highlights, analysis, and match grades.
Cody Rhodes is currently in a tag team match with Reigns against Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu.
In a special moment, the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff marching band performed Rhodes’ entrance song, as he competes in front of his hometown crowd.
Liv Morgan defended her women’s title against Rhea Ripley. Although Morgan was without her boyfriend Dominik Mysterio—who was trapped in a Shark Cage—she found support when Raquel Rodriguez returned from injury to intervene, leading to a disqualification victory for Ripley. However, the championship remains with Morgan.
The match saw Ripley almost secure a win before Rodriguez made a surprise appearance and distracted Ripley, allowing Jax to take advantage and finish the match.
Gunther, the WWE World Heavyweight champion, called out wrestling legend Goldberg during the event. Goldberg was at ringside and, after some back and forth, he indicated he might be looking for a match with Gunther in the future.
Triple H made a significant announcement about the upcoming Crown Jewel event, unveiling a new championship that will debut at the show. He announced that champions from both RAW and SmackDown would compete for the titles in both the men’s and women’s divisions at that event.
Damian Priest claimed victory over Finn Balor in a hard-fought match, marking a moment of revenge for Priest after previously losing his championship due to Balor’s interference.
Nia Jax exploited her strength and help from Tiffany Stratton to keep her title against Bayley in a dominant show of power.
Oshkosh native and Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton praised the Hell in a Cell match, calling it a classic, with WWE officials agreeing that the night had set an impressive precedent.
CM Punk secured victory against Drew McIntyre in a bloody showdown that showcased their long-standing and increasingly personal feud. Punk’s win, marked by a signature GTS maneuver, concluded what was described as one of the most intense matches in WWE history.
Celebrities in attendance included Bill Goldberg and Grammy-winning rapper Killer Mike. The event was hosted by Naomi, Bianca Belair, and Jade Cargill, with prominent producer Metro Boomin also spotted among the crowd.
The historical context of Bad Blood was highlighted, with this being the first such event since 2004, as it continues to build on the legacy of WWE’s Hell in a Cell matches.