WWE Bash in Berlin Live Results (August 31, 2024) - Uber Arena - Berlin, Germany (2024)

Welcome Rajahmaniacs on this holiday weekend to a special international edition of our LIVE WWE Bash in Berlin coverage! Once again, proving you with the best live play-by-play results coverage in the business is yours truly, "the Results General" Hogan. Go ahead and bookmark this page as it'll transition to our live results shortly before broadcast. As with most international PLE's, today's Bash in Berlin premium live event has a special start time of 1pm EST. That's noon for you central time folks, 11am for us Mountaineers, and 10am for you west-coast hippies. There are five matches scheduled today's card. For a more in-depth look, check out our official preview.

On tap for today is the highly-anticipated Punk/McIntyre II. This round will be a strap match as the two look to settle the score yet again. Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes will take on current bestie/potential Judas Kevin Owens in what should be a solid match built with ample drama. The Unholy Union (Isla Dawn & Alba Fyre) will defend their Women's Tag Team Championships against Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill. Also on the line is the World Heavyweight Championship as "Der Ring General" Gunther takes on the deadly Randy Orton. And in what should be a fun match, the Terror Twins (Rhea Ripley & Damian Priest) look to exact some vengeance on the Judgment Day's Liv Morgan & Dominik Mysterio.

We'll have all this action and more later today on Bash in Berlin--live at 1pm Eastern! Until then, browse our site for the most updated news and feel free to weigh in below with your fellow Rajahmaniacs!

Bash in Berlin Official Kickoff Show

There are no matches for the kickoff show. We're treated to the likes of the Miz and Big E as they breakdown and discuss the five matches on today's card. Live updates are now underway but don't expect me to recite the usual propaganda. If something noteworthy happens, I'll note it! Update 12:55pm EST: nope, nothing too important. CM Punk said he's going to have McIntyre fighting for his life.

Bash in Berlin Begins!

As production tries to play Big E's commentary off the air, Oscars style with music, we catch Michael Cole's entrance to a decent pop. The Miz and Big E quickly make their Meltzer-esque (maybe yes, maybe no) picks and we catch Wade Barrett's entrance. After another sixty seconds of this, we cut back to the arena for good. We're welcomed to the first-ever German-hosted premium live event by commentary. The music soars and the crowd roars as it's time to kick off our show!

Geography with Michael Cole

So...yeah. Cole gives us some basic statistics about Germany before we see clips from earlier today when Gunther, Orton, Punk, McIntyre and others arrived. We get four minutes of this extended yapping before a vignette plays. This one's theme: "Momentum." It turns into a lengthy "the making of Bash in Berlin." What the actual f*ck? Well, eventually up next: our first match, for the Undisputed title! That's seven minutes of our lives we can never get back!

Undisputed WWE Championship Match: Cody Rhodes(c) vs Kevin Owens

Out first is our challenger, "the Prize Fighter" Kevin Owens. The crowd pops good for him. We're reminded for the 23rd time today that it's been eight years this week since KO held the Universal Championship. Stand by, I'm getting word they're going to remind us for the 12th time that "Triple H gave" him the title. KO milks the opening, having fun with the Berliners. At 1:10pm, the champ makes his way out to a great pop from the crowd. They loudly sing along, hitting 107 decibels for the "whoa-oh" part. After a few more moments, the GOAT of announcing, period--Samantha Irvin--makes the official announcements as only she can. We get the bell at 1:14pm and we're off! The crowd erupts in several loud chants; my apologies for not transcribing them but I don't spretchen se Deutsch. The crowd cheers and applauds for both men, then again in German as the two Superstars move close. They shake hands in good faith and the crowd erupts in applause. Both men begin to circle and finally tie up at 1:15pm. Rhodes immediately looks for an arm hold. Throughout the day, commentary and the preshow panel have questioned if Cody's knee is hurt--a claim made on last night's SmackDown. Both men break up and circle again as the crowd stays loud for this one.

Cody again looks for an arm hold and transitions into a side headlock. Owens finally squirms out of it, looking for a headlock of his own. Owens drops Rhodes and the crowd pops as both men regain their composure. Both men continue a slow game, exchanging counters and leap frogs as the crowd pops for the display. Owens and Rhodes circle again before looking to lock up. Rhodes ducks under and applies a rear standing waistlock. Owens with a standing switch into one of his own. Cody breaks and looks for his Disaster Kick but Owens ducks! Owens follows it up with a Senton. Owens with a fist to the gut, doubling over the champ. Owens looks for a suplex but Rhodes escapes. Cody goes for a Cross Rhodes but KO escapes! KO looks for a Stunner but Cody counters! Both men seem to be getting heated as the pace is starting to tick up. A loud "holy sh*t" chant from the crowd.

Owens and Rhodes look to lockup again. Rhodes sends a charging Owens to the floor. Rhodes looks for a Suicide Dive but Owens catches him and shoves him against the apron. Owens with a running senton off the top to the champ! Owens takes it inside, but the champ rallies with a Disaster Kick that sends Owens outside. Rhodes looks for and connects with a Suicide Dive this go-round, then proudly poses for the crowd. Rhodes takes Owens into the ring and looks for an early pin, barely getting a one. Rhodes slows the pace, pulling the challenger up before taking him back down to the mat. Rhodes looks in a modified leg-scissors headlock. Owens squirm, making his way to the ropes to force a break. Rhodes takes the challenger into the corner and slaps his chest. A knee to the gut drops Owens, and Rhodes again looks for an illogical pin attempt. Barely gets a two. Rhodes starts to focus his attacks on Owen's left knee.

Rhodes continues to focus on Owen's knee, slapping on a Figure 4 to a chorus of woo's in the middle of the ring. Owen's in the hold for several long, painful moments. Owens attempts to reach the ropes after seeing he can't reverse the move. Finally, he reaches them but limps to his feet. Rhodes unloads fists and charges the challenger. Owens pops Rhodes up over the ropes, then blasts the champ and sends him flying. Rhodes' ribs hit the barricade and the rolls on the floor in pain. KO with a big splash to the outside, crushing Cody's ribs! Owens covers but gets one. Owens rests Rhodes on a side and begins to rub his elbow into Rhodes' ribs, then begins to smash elbow strikes against the tender flesh. Owens takes several moments in control of the match until Cody and Kevin connect with simultaneous clotheslines. Both men are down and the crowd pops yet again. Cole & Barrett hype Berlin and their recent European tour's success. We're reminded that Bash in Berlin broke the arena gate record for live WWE events.

Rhodes and Owens begin to exchange moves, struggling to gain control. Rhodes with a scoop slam on KO. Rhodes begins to "hulk up" and hits a Disaster Kick on the challenger, covering for two. Rhodes takes a moment and Barrett says it's because Cody's having "breathing issues" from the rib assault. Both men rise at the same time and Cody looks for a Cody Cutter. KO counters by converting the backwards momentum into a German Suplex (release). Cody again rebounds off the ropes and connects with the Cody Cutter for a close two! Both men again rise simultaneously. Cody with a forearm smash that rocks Owens; KO fires back with a chop. The two Superstars begin to exchange slow strikes to the cheers of the crowd, gradually growing in pace until KO hits a shoulder buster! KO covers for two. KO stomps Rhodes' midsection then ascends the turnbuckles. Fifteen minutes into the match, however, and Owens is a bit too slow.

Rhodes pops up and charges up the turnbuckles. Both Superstars begin to battle in the corner on the turnbuckle sand ropes. KO picks up Rhodes and hits a Super Rolling Senton driver off the top for a close two! The crowd is eating this up. KO looks winded and frustrated. The crowd with another loud "this is awesome" chant. Owens sizes up the champ then pulls him to his feet. Owens whips Rhodes into the ropes but Cody hangs onto the ropes. Cody looks for another Cody Cutter but KO avoids and goes for a Stunner. Cody blocks and hits a Cross Rhodes out of nowhere for another close cover! The crowd is on fire as Rhodes takes Owens into the corner. Rhodes places the challenger on the top turnbuckle and climbs up himself. Owens quickly capitalizes, hitting a Super Fisherman/Brainbuster to the champ! Owens drags himself across the canvas, covering Rhodes for another close cover!

Champ and challenger begin to exchange blows in the middle of the ring, with the crowd loudly chanting with every single strike. Owens and Rhodes exchange headbutts before rapid-firing fists to the crowd's approval. Both men still on their feet as they exchange kicks. Rhodes with the Goldust/drop down right hand! Cody looks for a Cody Cutter but his allegedly-injured knee buckles! Cody grasps his knee and rolls in pain. KO has a chance to sucker-attack Rhodes and starts to...but refuses to attack Cody's injured knee. Rhodes rolls outside the ring and Owens follows, seemingly to check up on the champ. Rhodes yells, "I'm okay," and strikes Owens! Owens and Rhodes slug it out, with KO finally kicking the knee and dropping the champ! Owens looks for a powerbomb on the floor but refuses to. Wade Barrett yells from commentary that KO should do the move. KO yells for the idiot to shut up.

KO takes the champ back in the ring. Stunner! Stunner! KO covers for another close two. Barrett on commentary argues with Michael Cole, who points out Rhodes & Owens are long-tenured friends. Owens yells at Rhodes in the ring, then tells Rhodes "you asked for this!" Rhodes quickly grabs Owens and hits a Cross Rhodes! A second Cross Rhodes! Cody hangs on and looks for a third! Owens kicks out of it! Owens with a Stunner out of nowhere! Owens covers for one two, no! Owens rises as the crowd erupts and starts to climb the turnbuckles. Owens looks for a Swanton off the top but Rhodes gets his knees up! Rhodes pulls Owens up and hits a Cross Rhodes. The champ covers and picks up the win at 1:37pm!
Your Winner and STILL Undisputed Champion, Cody Rhodes! (23 minutes)

AFTER THE MATCH: we get replays, followed by Cody Rhodes checking up on Kevin Owens. Rhodees tries to console Owens, who refuses a hand up. Rhodes implores Owens, who hugs Cody to a big pop. Owens does not look happy but still holds his friend's hand up in the air. Up next for Cody: Solo Sikoa. Cody goes to hoist KO's hand but KO refuses, shakes his head no, and instead hoists the champ's. We head to WWE commercials.

Backstage & Vignettes

We get a video narrated by Triple H, hyping WrestleMania 41--and, the 40th anniversary of WM1--next year in Las Vegas. Any of you Rajahmaniacs going? Sound off down below if so, would love to meet you! We get a package hyping the Unholy Union (Isla Dawn & Alba Fyre) as well as their challengers, Belair & Cargill.

Women's Tag Team Championship Match: The Unholy Union(c) vs Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill

"A storm is coming." With those words and sound effects of, well, a storm, we get a fancy entrance for Jade Cargill and Bianca Belair, wearing matching green attire. The crowd greets them warmly. The champs are out next to a very, very weak reaction. We're reminded that this is their fourth title defense in 77 days as champion. Finally at 1:51pm, we get the bell. All four women are in the ring as the ref tries to gain control. Cargill sends Isla Dawn out of the ring with a backbreaker then exits the ring, leaving Belair and Fyre as our legal Superstars. Belair takes Fyre into the corner and stomps away. Jade with a tag, continuing to stomp away at Fyre in the corner. Belair tags back in. Fyre looks for a kick but Belair blocks. Belair with a vertical suplex for a pop, then sloppies-up a kip-up. Belair takes Fyre into another corner and works her over to the crowd's content. Dawn comes over, distracting Belair. Fyre grabs Belair's hair and yanks her down. Alba Fyre takes Belair into the Unholy Union corner and begins to work over Belair. Cargill tries to assist but is blindsided by Isla Dawn. Dawn tags in and drives Belair into the outside barricade. They taunt Jade until she comes around, forcing the ref to separate them.

As the ref is distracted, the Unholy Union duo work over Belair before taking her into the ring. Early pin attempt by Dawn; barely gets a one. Fire & Dawn use quick tags to keep fresh and isolate Belair to their side of the ring. Another early pin attempt by the champs; no joy. The champs slow the pace, using working holds on Belair as they keep control for a lengthy stretch. Like, several minutes. Bianca finally gets some offense in at 1:59pm--8 minutes in. Cargill gets the hot tag, finally seeing action for the first time this match. Cargill cleans house with clotheslines and spinebusters before hitting a Fallaway Slam on Fyre! The crowd pops big as she begins to hit splashes on both champs, in opposite corners. Cargill with a quick suplex on Isla Dawn, covering for two. Cargill makes the mistake of following Dawn into the champ's corner and misses a blind tag to Fyre. Cargill manages to get a tag to Belair and the two attempt a double-move. Fyre, the legal woman, interrupts the move and the Unholy Union hit a new double-move finisher of their own for two. Cargill makes the save.

Dawn and Cargill battle at the ropes, with Jade sending Isla out to the ringside area with a big boot. Fyre tries to fight off Cargill and Belair but the challengers overwhelm her. The challengers lift Alba Fyre up and then slam her face-first into the mat! Cargill and Belair with another double-team move for a close two. Fyre just kicked out before Dawn could make the save. Dawn with a side kick that rocks Cargill. Belair looks for the KOD on Dawn but Fyre makes the save. Fyre goes up top as Dawn positions Belair across her knees. Fyre dives off but Cargill makes the save, causing Fyre to crash into Dawn! Belair sends Fyre out to Cargill, outside the ring. Jade slings Fyre into the barricade as Belair covers Dawn in the ring for two. Cargill tags in. Belair and Cargill with their double-move finisher yet again, covering for the pin at 2:03pm!
Your Winners & NEW WWE Women's Tag Team Champions, Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill! (12 minutes)

Strap Match: CM Punk vs Drew McIntyre II

We get a video package hyping the feud over the year between Punk and McIntyre, including clips from their match last month (with Seth Rollins as the special guest referee). McIntyre won their first match and, if history repeats as it oft does, expect a third match before this feud is said and done. Out first is McIntyre at 2:11pm, to at first boos then a mixed/mild reaction. He gets some heat, but the crowd is clearly waiting for the next Superstar. We're reminded of the rules of a strap match--a superstar must touch each turnbuckle. New this time: lights on the turnbuckles! There's a light fixed on a pole attached to the ring post. Let's see how many concussions that causes tonight! At 2:15pm, Living Colour's "Cult of Personality" kicks off and the crowd erupts. Berliners sing CM Punk down the ramp before they exclaim in unison, "It's Clobberin' Time!" McIntyre grins menacingly at Punk, and the two men stare down. Punk poses on the apron--and McIntyre clobbers Punk from behind!
McIntyre sends Punk into the ring post then smashes him down on top of the commentary table as the crowd loudly boos and commentary screams at the Scottish Psychopath. The match is not yet underway. McIntyre takes Punk into the ring and mount-and-pounds him. The ref checks on Punk and the crowd continues to loudly chant slurs in German. Drew gets the strap and begins to beat Punk with it! Again, the match is not yet underway. Drew slips the strap over his left wrist and smacks Punk again with the strap! The ref continuously yells at Drew during this ordeal. Drew wraps the strap around his fist and punches Punk, then slips the strap on Punk's wrist. We get the bell at 2:18pm. McIntyre continues to use the strap as a weapon, dominating Punk. Drew with a Side Russian Legsweep. The crowd loudly chants for Punk. Punk rolls to the outside but there is no escape in a strap match. McIntyre drags Punk into the ring and begins to unload on him with the strap again.

McIntyre hits a ring post, turning on the red light in the viewer's bottom left corner. Out of nowhere, Punk finally gets an offensive move in--a Go to Sleep! The crowd erupts at the GTS and Punk begins to approach a buckle. Punk hesitates, then refuses to hit the button as Wade Barrett on commentary screams at Punk. Punk begins to unload on McIntyre, using the strap to smack McIntyre. Drew attempts to escape outside but Punk uses the strap to drag McIntyre hard into the side of the ring. Punk follows outside and looks under the ring for a weapon, but McIntyre attacks him from behind. McIntyre sends Punk's face into the commentary table, then climbs on top. McIntyre pulls Punk up as the crowd loudly chants in German. McIntyre looks for the Future Shock DDT--and we're reminded it was that move that ripped Punk's triceps at the Royal Rumble. Punk counters the move with a backdrop. Punk stands on the table and uses the strap to whip the hell out of McIntyre, much to the crowd's delight. Punk fishes a table from out under the ring, but McIntyre again uses the distraction to attack him.

McIntyre again takes control, pummeling Punk. Drew fetches a steel chair and hits Punk in the midsection. We're reminded there are no countouts, no DQs, no pinfalls and no submissions. Punk gets angry and begins to throw rights at Punk. Both men brawl in front of the commentary table. McIntyre with an eye rake, then takes the action back into the ring. McIntyre with a scoop slam onto the steel chair in the ring! Punk groans in pain. Punk's bleeding lightly from his forehead. McIntyre positions the steel chair in the corner, wedged between two turnbuckles. This gives Punk time to recover. Punk with a running Bulldog on McIntyre. Punk and Drew are both outside the ring, on opposite sides of a ring post. Punk uses the strap to drag McIntyre face-first into the post. Punk again goes under the ring, retrieving another table. Punk sets up the table to a big pop as Drew is slow to recover. Punk's definitely bleeding a bit. Drew heads into the ring to avoid the table. Punk follows--and eats a Claymore immediately!

McIntyre heads around the ring, hitting the first three top turnbuckles, flicking on the lights. Punk quickly slides outside the ring and streaks far from it, using the strap to yank McIntyre across the ring and face-first into the steel chair wedged in the corner! Punk enters the ring and hits three turnbuckles himself before Drew stops him. Drew hoists Punk up and drops him over the top rope, letting him crash through the table set up at ringside to a big pop! Loud "holy sh*t" chant from the Berliners in attendance. Drew desperately reaches for the far turnbuckle--but unless he thinks his arm is 15' long, it won't reach. Drew tries to pull Punk into the ring via the strap. McIntyre hoists Punk up on his shoulders again and walks around the ring. Punk tags the buckle, and McIntyre thinks he did it. The second corner, same thing--Punk tags the turnbuckle first! At the thirst one, same story. Both men have now hit three turnbuckles simultaneously! Both men begin to grapple at the fourth and final turnbuckle. Both reach desperately but the fighting prevents either from touching the final turnbuckle, causing all turnbuckles to reset. Both men must yet again hit all four.

Punk and McIntyre unload on each other. McIntyre looks for a Claymore but couldn't get enough release, allowing Punk to block the move with a kick of his own. The crowd comes alive yet again. Punk tags his first buckle to a big pop. The crowd cheers him on as he struggles to approach a second buckle, but McIntyre's a dead-weight anchor. Punk hits the second buckle and pushes for a third. McIntyre pops up and hits a neckbreaker, dropping both men and resetting the progress. Both men remain down for several long moments and the ref checks on both. McIntyre kips-up impressively and eyes Punk, who's still down. Drew pulls Punk's bracelet out of his tights--the same bracelet McIntyre stole from Punk months ago and has used to taunt him since. McIntyre posts up in the corner, calling for a Claymore. The crowd counts down in German and McIntyre connects with the Claymore! McIntyre takes his time going for the turnbuckles, and Punk recovers. Both men lock up and struggle for a few moments before Punk drops McIntyre with another GTS! Punk tags the first two buckles without incident. He goes for the third, pauses, and pulls McIntyre up for another GTS! Punk tags the third buckle and the crowd is eating it all up. Punk goes for the fourth turnbuckle. Punk pauses again, staring at McIntyre, then drags him over with the strap. Punk pulls McIntyre up and hits another GTS! Punk kneels and steals back his bracelet as the crowd pops big. Punk hits the fourth buckle and picks up the win at 2:37pm! This is Punk's first win in 10.5 years in the WWE.
Your Winner, CM Punk! (19 Minutes)

Mix Tag Team Match: The Terror Twins vs The Judgment Day

We get video hyping our upcoming fourth (of five) match. Today's trend of 14-15 minutes between matches continues. We finally get the Judgment Day (Liv Morgan & Dom Mysterio) entrance at 2:49pm. They get a mild reaction from the crowd. Out next are the Terror Twins, for whom the crowd come alive. This match is brought to you by Star Wars Outlaws, now available on consoles I'm not playing? f*ck you, Disney! Uh oh, if I get suicided, you know Disney did it. Knew I shouldn't have signed up for that Disney+ trial five years ago. The crowd absolutely erupts for Rhea Ripley. After several long moments, in which Dominik Mysterio plays the heel and tries to avoid Damian, we finally get our bell at 2:53pm EST. Priest quickly begins to unload on Dom to huge pops, easily tossing his former stablemate across the ring. The crowd loudly chants "we want Mami." Priest points at her and, after a huge pop, tags in the excited Ripley as Dom cowardly tags in Liv. Liv tries to stare down Damian; he sidesteps and Rhea comes flying over the ropes with a missile dropkick!
Ripley stares Dom down as she hits a Fallaway Slam on Liv. Rhea takes Liv into the corner and hits a shoulder thrust to a huge pop. Rhea continues to dominate until Liv tags in Dom. Priest gets in on the D/s action, dominating Dominik and taking him outside. Priest begins to brutalize Dom, slamming his face into various things such as: the commentary table, the ring post, and the steel steps. The crowd loudly chants "who's your daddy?"
Dom gets lucky, attacking Priest as he tries to enter the ring. Dom heads outside and hits a charging thrust that sends Priest into the steel steps for a big boo. Liv and Rhea encroach on the action and the ref sorts them out. Dom takes the action into the ring but takes several long moments taunting the crowd. Dom with a rope-assisted splash for a two. Dom with a Tornado DDT for another close cover. Barrett, on commentary, calls Dom the "greatest luchadore in history" haha. The heels use any chance they can to cheat, pulling at hair or raking eyes when the ref is out of position. The crowd tries to rally Damian. Priest powers out of a rear lock but Dom strikes him and slaps in a headlock. Dom does the Eddie Guerrero shuffle but Priest shuts it down with a suplex. Rhea wants the hot tag and Priest complies. Rhea comes in, taking it to Liv rapidly. Liv eats a suplex then a low-angle dropkick to the face. Rhea with a rear waistlock and a German Suplex release. The crowd stays hot for this match, folks, and is eating up everything Ripley throws at them! Dom tries to distract Rhea, offering a hug.

Rhea smiles then throws a back elbow just in time to catch a charging Liv. Ripley finally unloads on Dominik Mysterio! Ripley with strikes and a driver. Ripley positions in the corner and uses a thigh-lock submission hold as Dom tries to escape! Liv charges in and Ripley shuts her down. Ripley positions Dom and looks for the Riptide! Liv Morgan again makes the save. Codebreaker from Morgan outta nowhere on Rhea. Morgan follows it up immediately with a charging knee to a vulnerable Ripley in the corner. Morgan with a modified driver for a close cover! Morgan toys with Ripley but Damian gets the tag in. Damian and Dom clash in the ring, with Priest unloading on the younger Mysterio. The crowd is on fire for Priest as he digs deep into his arsenal to dominate Dom. Priest with a big clothesline for a cover, but again, Morgan makes the save.

Rhea clotheslines Morgan and now the Terror Twins stand tall over their foes. They both Hulk-clap (bell-clap) their opponents. Rhea and Damian lift Liv and Dom high up and hit stereo Razor Edges! Ripley tells Priest "destroy Dom" and Priest pulls down his straps Paul Wight-style. Priest calls for a chokeslam but JD McDonaugh and Carlito Caribbean Cool of the Judgement Day hit the ring! Priest clears them out but is attacked from behind by Finn Balor! The ref didn't see it! Dom sets up a 6-1-9 on Priest and follows it up with a Frog Splash for a close cover. Priest kicks out! Rhea begins to recover on the outside but Liv makes the tag and hits a diving attack to wipe out Ripley. Liv takes it back inside but Ripley hits a quick backbreaker. Ripley looks for a Riptide but JD McDonaugh reemerges to distract her. Liv Morgan with an ObLIVion! Priest begins clearing the ringside area, taking out the Judgment Day interlopers with Superkicks. Dom takes out Priest with a Suicide Dive and the crowd boos. The crowd yells "f*ck you, Dom" loudly. Dom turns around and into a clothesline from Priest! This distracts Liv Morgan, who turns to face a recovering Rhea Ripley! Ripley with a smack and a Riptide! Rhea covers and picks up the win at 3:08pm!
Your Winners, the Terror Twins! (15 Minutes)

World Heavyweight Championship Main Event Match: Gunther(c) w/ Ludwig Kaiser vs Randy Orton

We get a dozen minutes of hype for our final match of the night. Randy Orton begins his entrance at 3:18pm and the crowd loudly sings him down to the ring. Gunther is out next to a nice reaction but, to be honest, I expected them to be much louder. The Ring General poses and we get our official announcements for the event. When Samantha Irvin goes to do Gunther's, Ludwig Kaiser takes the mic and does the introduction briefly in German and then fully in English to a pop. The bell rings at 3:28pm and the crowd erupts LOUDLY in chants and applause for Gunther. There they are! This carries on for a solid minute at least as both Superstars just stare each other down. They continue to pace and Orton applauds the crowd for what they did. Finally, both men circle and lock up. The crowd continues to loudly chant throughout this match in both German and English. Both men struggle in the lockup for several moments. Orton tries to push Gunther into the corner but both men end up rolling along the ropes to an opposite corner. The ref forces the break. Again they lockup in the same corner and referee Charles "Little Naitch" Robinson forces a break yet again. They pace as the crowd applauds, each man sizing the other up. They lock up and Gunther immediately transitions it into a headlock takedown. Orton counters with a side headlock takedown of his own to another pop from Berlin.

The crowd is fully on fire for this, and the Superstars pause to soak it up. They lock up again, with Orton applying a rear waistlock. Gunther slips out and applies a rear armlock. Orton makes it to the ropes to force the break. Gunther enters a very, very lengthy stretch of being in control. The match takes a more traditional wrestling style, with working holds and grapples used to both slow the pace as well as give the Superstars a breather. Gunther repeatedly works Orton's joins, trying to slow and wear the Viper down. The crowd does a wave. That was a highlight of the past four minutes. Orton finally gets offense in, whipping Gunther into the steps. Gunther tries to fight back but the challenger sends him into the steel steps again. Orton threatens involving the commentary table but Gunther tries to fight back again. Orton continues to dominate the champ at the ringside area, repeatedly going into the ring and rolling back out to reset the count. Orton focuses his assault on Gunther's right arm, driving it into the commentary table multiple times over. Gunther looks to take charge for a brief period, but it's all Orton as the challenger continues to dominate the champ and inflict damage on his right arm. Orton attempts a cover after a Fallaway Slam, official move of the night, but Gunther kicks out quickly at one.

Gunther looks for a clothesline but the injured right arm causes him more pain. Orton again takes control, driving the champ into the mat and attempting another short cover. Orton sets up Gunther for a Spike DDT/draping DDT but Gunther battles out. Gunther clubs Orton on the back of the head and both men are down briefly. Gunther climbs the turnbuckles as Orton recovers in the ring. Orton clubs Gunther, stopping his ascent. Both men battle in the corner, Orton standing and Gunther seated upon the top turnbuckle. Orton finally climbs up and they again struggle at the top. Orton hits a Superplex off the middle rope for a pop. Orton continues to work over the champ, hitting what Cole calls an "Old School" but is not the 'Taker's move of that name. Orton drapes Gunther across the ropes and hits the DDT to a big pop. The crowd loudly chants for an RKO. This match is dragging on, folks. Orton walks the ring as the crowd pops. He stretches his arms out as he "goes to that special place" per Cole, then he flops down to the canvas, fists pounding the mat as he calls for the RKO!

Gunther rises and Orton goes for the RKO but Gunther immediately counters it by pulling Orton back into a German Suplex! Gunther takes a moment to recover and sizes up the challenger. Orton looks woozy as he recovers. Gunther hits the "T-Rex dropkick" per Cole and heads up top. A big splash off the top! Gunther covers for two and another pop. We get replays as the champ tries to rally. The champ with a big suplex despite the bad arm for another pop. Gunther looks for a big powerbomb but his arm won't allow it. Gunther clubs the challenger's back with axe handle strikes. Gunther again attempts a powerbomb but can't hoist up Orton. Three attempts, three failures. Gunther looks for another but Orton reverses, lifting Gunther up for a possible Alabama Slam. Gunther wiggles out and counters, finally firing off the powerbomb for a close two! Gunther takes a moment to recover then rises slowly to his feet. Gunther calls out to the crowd and pulls Orton up yet again. Gunther looks for another powerbomb but can't complete the move. Orton with an RKO outta nowhere! Cover! Gunther just kicks out at three! This match continues! The match is picking up pace at 3:51pm.

Orton heads outside the ring and clears the German commentary team's table off. We're now 26 minutes into this match. Orton takes a very, very long time moving steel steps around to position next to the commentary table. This allows Gunther to rally and exit the ring. Gunther begins to battle Orton at the ringside area. Orton fights back with fists. Orton with a back drop to Gunther on the steel steps! Orton grabs another set of steps and slowly brings them over as the crowd does a dueling chant in German. Gunther slowly rolls into the ring as the Viper stalks his prey. Orton drags Gunther out of the ring and slams his head into the main commentary team's announce table. Orton breaks the count and exits the ring again. Orton takes Gunther's bad arm and bounces him off the steps repeatedly. Orton breaks the count again, and the crowd gets louder with their dueling chant. Orton stacks one set of steps onto the other then climbs up them, carrying Gunther up both sets of steps. Orton slams Gunther through the commentary table! Cole screams at Orton to get Gunther back in the ring or else he can't win the title. The crowd with a loud "holy sh*t" chant. Orton stands on top of the double-decker stairs again and does his iconic pose.

Orton finally moves over to Gunther. The ref is really, really lax on these counts. This should be in twenty-count territory. Cole addresses it, stating Charles Robinson (ref) decided to give them some latitude as the crowd was here "for a fight." Orton takes it back into the ring and again pauses to pose for the cheering crowd. Orton flops down and smacks the mat, calling for an RKO. Orton goes for the RKO but Gunther shoves him off. Orton plops down on his back hard. Gunther slaps on a sleeper quickly in the middle of the ring! Orton powers to a vertical base but Gunther keeps the sleeper locked in. Orton pushes Gunther against the corner ropes but the ref doesn't call for a break. Gunther takes Orton to the middle of the ring and drops him to the canvas, keeping the sleeper on. Gunther cinches his left arm tighter under Orton's chin. Orton again powers to a vertical base and finally forces a break. Gunther immediately chops Orton across his sore back, then slaps on another sleeper!

Gunther rains clubbing elbows down to Orton's neck and shoulder then slaps on the sleeper again. Orton once again powers to his feet. Gunther refuses to break the hold, even as Orton lifts Gunther up on his back! Orton drops back, smashing down on Gunther to break the hold! Orton finally gets a breather--for a half second before Gunther sits up Jason Voorhees-style and slaps on another sleeper! Gunther rains more elbows down on Orton's neck and slaps the sleeper on again! Orton can't escape! The ref checks on Orton but at 4:02pm, he calls for the bell!

Your Winner by Submission and STILL World Heavyweight Champion, Gunther! (34 Minutes)

AFTER THE MATCH: Gunther met Orton in the middle of the ring and shook his hand to applause. Very classy.

In Closing

Thanks, everyone, for joining us for today's Bash in Berlin international premium live event! Don't forget to join us tomorrow for NXT No Mercy. I'll see you all then. HAPPY LABOR DAY!

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