WWE is set to bring back the Bad Blood Premium Live Event in less than two weeks. The big event will hold a special place in company history, and officials are loading the card with several top matches. Sources just revealed updates on PLE plans as superstars prepare for tonight's RAW.
Bad Blood will mark 27 years since the inaugural pay-per-view of the same name, which featured the first-ever Hell in a Cell match with The Undertaker and Shawn Michaels. WWE recently announced the rubber match between CM Punk and Drew McIntyre will be inside the Devil's Playground at Bad Blood, and it was reported that this would headline the PLE, scheduled for Saturday, October 5 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta.
The USA Network website ran a weekend article that billed Punk vs. McIntyre III as the headliner. However, a new report from Fightful Select notes that as of last week, another high-profile match was set to close the show.
It was noted that when Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes filmed last week's Georgia Tech vignette, the working internal plan was to have the Bad Blood close with Reigns and Rhodes vs. Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu. It wasn't clear how long Triple H and Co. went back and forth on main event plans.
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WWE apparently made this main event decision due to The American Nightmare being from the area and the fact that the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff marching band will play his entrance. The Marching Musical Machine of the Mid-South went viral last month after performing Cody's "Kingdom" theme during a game.
The Original Tribal Chief's connection to Atlanta reportedly also played a role in the decision to close the show with the latest in The Bloodline's lengthy war. It was noted that plans can always change with around two weeks until showtime, but as of last week, the plan was to have Rhodes, Reigns, Sikoa, and Fatu in the main event.
Update on WWE Bad Blood PLE
World Wrestling Entertainment will mark the return of Bad Blood on Saturday, October 5 from State Farm Arena in Atlanta. This will be the fourth PLE of the same name, but the first to air since 2004.
Officials have confirmed five matches for Bad Blood as of now, but Sami Zayn vs. World Heavyweight Champion Gunther is rumored to be announced in the coming weeks. Below is the current lineup:
- Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes vs. Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu
- Hell in a Cell match: CM Punk vs. Drew McIntyre
- Women's World Championship: Liv Morgan (c) vs. Rhea Ripley
- Women's Championship: Nia Jax (c) vs. Naomi or Bayley
- Damian Priest vs. Finn Balor
The Countdown to Bad Blood will air at 4:30 pm ET on October 5, while the main PLE starts early at 6 pm to avoid counter-programming against UFC 307.
Bad Blood is the first WWE PLE to air the same night as a UFC pay-per-view since Endeavor merged the companies to form TKO Group Holdings last year.