The World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) made a pit stop on their way to Wrestlemania to put on a fantastic show at London’s Budweiser Gardens on Sunday night (August 21). Hailed as “The Sunday Stunner”, the crowd was treated to over two-hours of all out wrestling fun, including guest appearances by Canadians Kevin “KO” Owens and Canada’s Got Talent judge Trish Stratus.
As a WWE Canadian Hall of Fame member, no one was shocked when head official Adam Pearce informed us that he was appointing Stratus as a special WWE Official for this event. Stratus was quickly tested when Bayley and her got into a war of words, with Bayley hurdling Canadian insults and Trish standing up for the fans.
Trish announced IYO SKY and Dakota Kai would face Alexa Bliss and Asuka in an Immediate tag team match while Bayley would wrestle Bianca Belair later in the show. It was a hard-fought match that ended with Asuka placing her famous Asuka Lock hold on Kai, who tapped out for the loss. As mean as she was,
It was nice to see Bayley back in the ring after tearing her ACL last year.
Next up was Finn Balor against Mustafa Ali with a shocking guest appearance by Damian Priest alongside Finn. The match was highlighted by Ali performing numerous aerial moves while trying to avoid constant illegal interference from Priest. However, two-against-one is always bad odds in this game and Balor reigned supreme.
Round three was the triple threat 24/7 Title Match, with Tamina and Nikki A.S.H. trying to take away Dana Brooke’s hold on the belt. The action went back and forth between all the ladies and at one point had referee Shawn Bennett winning the belt after doing a Death Roll-up, only to be quickly pinned himself! In the end Dana kept her title.
Theory versus Dolph Ziggler was the lead up to the title match. It was back and forth action with Ziggler using his Zig Zag and Fameasser, but was put down by Theory and his A-Town Down move. After the win, Theory invited Stratus into the ring for a selfie, only to be greeted by Kevin “KO” Owens, who quickly finished off Theory with a Stunner to the joy of the entire crowd.
KO grabbed a sign “Kevin Owens for Prime Minister” from an adoring fan, brought it into the ring, and did the requested selfie with Stratus and the still knocked out cold Theory, with the sign lying on his chest.
After a few more matches, the night ended with the “London, Ontario Street Fight” between Riddle and Seth Rollins. This was your typical high light reel WWE match including Rollins pulling out a kendo stick, a folding chair, action taken up into the crowd, a body slam into a folding table – this match had it all.
Rollins tried a Powerbomb through the table, but Riddle got out of it and gave Rollins a taste of his own medicine with a Powerbomb of his own through the table. Riddle grabbed a stunned Rollins and finished him off with a Randy Orton inspired RKO for the pinfall win.
I am sure Riddle has never seen anything like this and probably wished he was back in a simple cage like his UFC days. However, as I packed up my gear to leave, I couldn’t help but notice that he was going fan to fan after the match taking selfies and signing autographs. I could only think to myself, how great it is to be back to live entertainment.
WWE Sunday Stunner
Budweiser Gardens
London, ON
August 21, 2022
All photos by Brent Groh
