(6) DANIEL BRYAN (w/Erick Rowan) vs. KOFI KINGSTON (w/Big E, Xavier Woods) – WWE Title match
New Day came to the ring together. Xavier threw a single handful of pancakes to the crowd. Big E arrived and gyrated for the hard camera. Xavier played the trombone. Saxton and Graves sung the praises of Kofi for being a great person and really helpful and gracious behind the scenes. Big E showed Kofi a blue box with ribbons on it. He said it was a gift for him after the match. (The metal and leather title belt?) Daniel Bryan then came out with Erick Rowan. Graves said Bryan likes to use his WWE Title reign to get a pulpit to spread his message. Saxton said he likes to tell people how to live their lives. Graves complimented the organic title belt Bryan had commissioned.
Fans were alive for this one, chanting “KofiMania!” as the match began. The match began 2:20 into the main show and 4:20 since the Kickoff Show began. Kofi dropkicked Bryan out of the ring a minute in, then leaped over the top rope onto Bryan on the floor. Bryan regrouped with Rowan at ringside. Back in the ring Bryan caught Kofi in mid-air on a leapfrog attempt and then set up a submission on the mat.
Kofi came back and landed the Boom Drop. Kofi slidekicked Bryan to the floor. When he leaped at Bryan, Bryan moved and Kofi landed on the desk. Back in the ring Bryan began sustained offense against Bryan. They cut to the locker room where wrestlers had gathered and were applauding for Kofi. After several more minutes of Bryan in control, Bryan went for a back suplex off the top rope. Kofi elbowed out of it and then leaped with a splash to back of Bryan. He scored a two count. They showed wrestlers backstage reacting.
Fans started a “New… Day Rocks!” chant. Kofi leaped at Bryan off the middle rope, but Bryan rolled through. He shifted into a LeBell lock. Kofi escaped and charged at Bryan, but Bryan lifted his knees. Bryan smiled and kneeled. He began a Yes Chant with a taunting facial expression. When he went for it, Kofi ducked and leveraged Bryan’s shoulders down. Bryan escaped at a two. Bryan then countered an S.O.S. with a LeBell Lock. Bryan elbowed Kofi’s ribs a few times, then reapplied the hold. Graves said there is no escape. Kofi put his toe on the bottom rope to force a break. Bryan fired back with Yes Kicks to Kofi’s chest. Kofi no-sold it and stood up and then kicked back at Bryan. They exchanged kicks. The crowd erupted with cheers as Kofi countered a kick and rolled Bryan into an inverted face-plant suplex for a near fall. Bryan rolled to the floor.
Kofi pursued Bryan at ringside. Rowan got in his path. Xavier leaped at Rowan, but Rowan clawed his head and threw him into the announce table. Rowan then fended off Big E. Kofi gave Rowan a Trouble in Paradise kick. Big E then lifted Rowen and Kofi delivered a Midnight Hour on the floor. Bryan dove through the ropes, but Kofi intercepted him with a forearm. The crowd stood and cheered as Kofi went for a Trouble in Paradise, but Bryan ducked and then landed his flying knee for a believable near fall. They showed the gathering of wrestlers backstage reacting. Bryan sat up in disbelief. Bryan then methodically applied another LeBell Lock mid-ring. Kofi refused to tap. Bryan crossface forearmed him and locked it on again. Kofi powered out and then went after Bryan, but Bryan applied an armlock. They wrestled for position. Kofi mounted Bryan and punched away at him. Then he stood over him and stomped on his head over and over. He let out a yell and showed fire. Big E and Xavier pounded the ring to lead a “New… Day Rocks!” chant. Kofi landed Trouble in Paradise for the three count. The crowd was elated. Xavier and Big E joined Kofi in celebrating.
WINNER: Kingston in 24:00 to capture the WWE Title. (***3/4)
A really good match. Straight forward, with the heel getting a sustained beatdown and eventually the babyface scoring a clean win with a finishing move. WWE is doing the right thing with finishes tonight, and yes in some cases there just is a “right thing” when it comes to finishes.
-Afterward, Xavier and Big E looked at the wooden WWE Title belt and said no way. They set it aside and then revealed the leather and metal one. Xavier presented it to Kofi who held it up mid-ring. Saxton said this is a symbol of accomplishing your goals and achieving your dreams if you believe and persist. Fireworks blasted as Kofi celebrated on the second turnbuckle. He said there isn’t a more deserving individual. His young sons came in and celebrated with them. One of them held the belt up, although he was so young, he needed help. Big E then brought the gift box into the ring. The kids eagerly helped him open it. Inside were t-shirts with Kofi as WWE Champion. The kids stood on the second turnbuckles and showed off the shirts.
Those shirts alone will probably pay for both of those kids’ college educations. Those t-shirts, unfortunately, were released online before the match ended, giving away the finish to some who were hoping to be left in suspense.
