[TV Rundown] ‘WWE MAIN EVENT’ 01.06.2021 – Ricochet vs. Gulak, Tozawa vs. Slapjack

COMMENTATORS: Tom Phillips & Samoa Joe

Main Event this week features Akira Tozawa taking on Slapjack of Retribution, and Retribution’s nemesis Ricochet taking on a somewhat new-look Drew Gulak.

LINEUP

• Akira Tozawa vs. Slapjack (**)
• Ricochet vs. Drew Gulak (***1/4)

*****

Slapjack [w/ Mustafa Ali] defeated Akira Tozawa via pinfall (5:03)

Tozawa started off strong with a rana and low corner dropkick, but Slapjack wrestled control away by blocking a tornado DDT and connecting with a snap suplex. Slapjack worked the arm in various twists and holds, Tozawa mounted a comeback with another rana followed by a Shining Wizard and that top rope cannonball-ish dive he’s known for but only got a two-count. Tozawa headed back to the top, Ali provided a distraction and Slapjack took away his footing, finishing him off with the Snapback to get the win.

• God as my witness I will witness Akira Tozawa win at least one non-24/7 match in my lifetime. Match was standard Main Event fare, Tozawa fed Slapjack and made him look good while also getting his signature stuff in. Retribution is corny stuff but I think I kinda like Snapjack; he’s supposed to be the more unhinged member of the group and I liked his mannerisms (especially laying all over Tozawa after getting the pin). Good for Ali to finally see one of his Retribution people get a win. (**)

Ricochet defeated Drew Gulak via pinfall (7:18 shown)

Phillips and Joe teased possible Retribution interference on commentary, as they’re currently embroiled in a feud with Ricochet on RAW (a show I’m told exists but I think people are lying). Gulak sported a new look here as well, with orange and white tights that kind of made him look like a Hershey Kiss. I’m sure that’s what he was going for. Gulak controlled early with a side headlock, Ricochet flipped through an armdrag but got caught on the way down from a leapfrog into a sunset flip, Gulak almost stealing the match. That ruled. Gulak slammed Ricochet against the ropes, taking control heading into the commercial. Back from the break Ricochet sent Gulak to the floor with a springboard dropkick, then sent him right back out on the other side with a hip toss and followed up with a step-up springboard senton. Gulak rallied once more, countering the Meteora with a half-Crab on Ricochet’s taped up leg, then countering Ricochet’s Kick Back attempt with another half-Crab into an STF. Ricochet rolled to turn it into a pinning attempt, forcing Gulak to let go, then hit his sorta Codebreaker-like Recoil for the win.

• Ricochet and Gulak are two of the better wrestlers on the WWE roster so it’s weird to say this: what an unexpected surprise! I figured they’d go through the motions and just get through it, like most Main Event matches, but they went and had themselves a kick ass match. Gulak’s counter game was ON POINT and I dig Ricochet’s original finisher failing while his new one got the victory, almost like a passing of the torch. A very good match on its own but a ***** Tokyo Dome classic if you compare it to the usual Main Event action. (***1/4)

*****

FINAL THOUGHTS: Ricochet & Gulak decided to give a sh*t and that alone makes Main Event worth checking out. Good match there, plus I found out that I may actually like someone in Retribution so that’s even crazier!