WWE World Cup First-Round Match: Kurt Angle vs. Dolph Ziggler

We go to the ring for the final first-round World Cup match as Hamilton does the introduction for WWE Hall of Famer Kurt Angle. Angle comes out as red, white and blue fireworks go off around the stadium. Out next comes Dolph Ziggler with Drew McIntyre. We get a sidebar video of Ziggler and McIntyre backstage earlier in the day. Ziggler says the cup is coming home with the true best in the world.

The bell rings and they lock up. They tangle and trade holds. Angle slams Ziggler first. Ziggler looks to mount offense but Angle hits a belly-to-belly suplex. Angle with two German suplexes now. Ziggler is on the apron now as McIntyre gives him a few words of support. Angle looks to German Ziggler off the apron but Ziggler hangs onto the ropes. Angle gets knocked off the apron to the floor. Ziggler whips Angle into the steel ring steps. Ziggler brings it back into the ring with offense. Ziggler nails a neckbreaker for a 2 count.

Ziggler keeps Angle grounded on the mat with a bodyscissors and Sleeper now. Angle fights up and out, slamming Ziggler back into the turnbuckles. Angle with a German suplex. He doesn’t release and hits two more for a close 2 count. Ziggler blocks the Angle Slam and nails a DDT for a 2 count. More back and forth and counters now. Ziggler misses the Fame-asser and Angle hits the Angle Slam for a close 2 count. A nervous McIntyre hops on the apron.

Angle drops the straps as the crowd pops. Angle goes for the ankle lock but Ziggler kicks him away. Ziggler with the Fame-asser for a close 2 count. Angle blocks another Fame-asser and they go back & forth again. Angle catches Ziggler in the ankle lock in the middle of the ring. Ziggler screams out but Angle keeps it locked. Ziggler goes for the rope but Angle drags him back. Ziggler rolls but Angle turns the hold right back over as McIntyre looks on. Ziggler finally breaks the hold. Angle charges but hits the ring post shoulder-first as Ziggler moves. Ziggler with a Zig Zag for the win to advance.

Winner: Dolph Ziggler

After the match, McIntyre enters the ring and checks on Ziggler as the music starts. Ziggler stands tall as we go to replays. Ziggler and McIntyre head to the back together as we get a look at the updated brackets. Ziggler vs. Rollins and Mysterio vs. Miz are confirmed.

WWE World Cup Semi-final Match: Seth Rollins vs. Dolph Ziggler

We go to the ring and out comes WWE Intercontinental & RAW Tag Team Champion Seth Rollins. Out next comes Dolph Ziggler with Drew McIntyre.

They size each other up and go back & forth with holds to start. Rollins goes for the hurt ankle early on. They break and go for a test of strength but Ziggler kicks Rollins. Ziggler takes Rollins to the mat with a headlock. They break and run the ropes. Rollins leap frogs and catches a crossbody. Rollins slams Ziggler to the mat and clotheslines him over the top rope to the floor. Rollins follows to the floor and chops Ziggler. Rollins sends Ziggler into the barrier as the referee counts. Rollins with another big chop. Rollins brings it back into the ring but McIntyre gets in his way. They have words. Rollins dares Drew to hit him to get the disqualification. Rollins heads back into the ring but Ziggler spikes him with a big DDT on the hurt neck for a close 2 count.

Ziggler rakes Rollins’ eyes and forehead over the top rope as the referee warns him. Rollins counters and looks to fight back but Ziggler kicks the knee out. Ziggler with a neckbreaker for a 2 count. Ziggler keeps Rollins grounded now and continues to focus on the neck. Back and forth now. Ziggler gets the upperhand again and drops Rollins face-first. Ziggler with a 2 count. Ziggler mocks Rollins while he’s down now. Ziggler goes down but kicks Rollins into the turnbuckles. Ziggler with a neckbreaker for another pin attempt. Ziggler shows frustration now.

Fans chant for Rollins as he tries to fight free. Rollins counters and rolls Ziggler for a 2 count. Ziggler jumps for a DDT but Rollins catches him. They trade counters and pin attempts again. They trade several more pin attempts. Rollins catches a superkick and hits the Ripcord knee. Rollins falls on Ziggler for a close 2 count as a worried Drew looks on. Rollins cranks up for the Stomp but has to knock Drew off the apron. Dolph takes advantage but Rollins dumps him over the top rope to the floor. Rollins runs the ropes and nails a suicide dive on Ziggler and Drew right as Drew was telling Ziggler to get it together. Rollins brings Ziggler in and springboards but has to roll through. Ziggler with a Fame-asser for a close 2 count.

Ziggler goes to the top but Rollins runs up and nails the superplex. Rollins holds it for the Falcon Arrow but Ziggler counters that with a Zig Zag for another close 2 count. Rollins blocks another Zig Zag and drops Ziggler with a superkick. Rollins with a suicide dive to send Drew into the barrier. Ziggler runs up to the top but Rollins pushes him to the mat. Ziggler sells an ankle injury to distract the referee, allowing McIntyre to push Rollins from the top. Ziggler takes advantage and nails a superkick to get the win.

Winner: Dolph Ziggler

After the match, McIntyre hits the ring to help Ziggler up as the music hits. Ziggler vs. Miz is now official for the finals. Ziggler and McIntyre stand tall over Rollins as we go to replays. Ziggler and McIntyre head up the ramp and Saxton stops them. Saxton says it doesn’t seem fair Ziggler won that way and says some people would see this as an upset win. Ziggler goes on about how he’s been saying this for 13 years but no one believed him or gave a damn about him. Ziggler says the next time we see him in the ring, he will be holding his trophy because he is the best in the world. Ziggler and McIntyre head to the back as the music starts back up and some fans boo.

WWE World Cup Finals: The Miz vs. Dolph Ziggler

Back from a break and it’s time for the WWE World Cup tournament finals. SmackDown Commissioner Shane McMahon is introduced. Acting RAW GM Baron Corbin is at ringside to also watch. The Miz is out first. We see highlights from the other tournament matches from earlier tonight. Dolph Ziggler is out next with Drew McIntyre. We get formal ring introductions from Hamilton.

The referee ejects McIntyre before the bell hits, sending him to the back. Ziggler and McIntyre argue with the referee but Drew leaves. Miz takes advantage and attacks Ziggler before the bell. The referee tries to restore order but Miz attacks again. They both end up on the outside. Miz clutches his ankle. Miz sends Ziggler into the steel steps. It looks like Miz might be selling an injury. The referee tries to get them in the ring. Miz brings Ziggler in but they’re both struggling. Miz says he’s fine but the referee wants him to prove he can get back in the ring. The referee calls Shane over and says Miz isn’t good to go. The referee calls for other officials from the back, telling Shane he can’t let Miz compete. Miz says he’s never been injured.

The referee tells Hamilton that Miz can’t compete and must forfeit. Shane says it’s not going down like that. He interrupts Hamilton’s announcement. Shane says he’s going to take The Miz’s place. The announcement is made and it’s official.

WWE World Cup Finals: Shane McMahon vs. Dolph Ziggler

Baron Corbin throws a fit as Shane McMahon enters the ring to get ready to go at it with Dolph Ziggler. Ziggler also isn’t happy. We see two referees helping The Miz to the back. The bell rings and Shane unloads in the corner. Shane with a big elbow. Corbin gets involved and argues with the referee again. The referee ejects Corbin to the back. Ziggler takes advantage and hits a Zig Zag on Shane from behind but Shane kicks out at 2.

Ziggler goes to work on Shane now. Fans chant “this is awesome” now. Ziggler rakes at Shane’s face. Shane fights back from his knees now, wearing jeans, sneakers and a tank top. Shane counters and hits a DDT. Shane catapults Ziggler into the top turnbuckle now. Shane goes to the top and hits a big Coast 2 Coast in the corner. Shane covers for the pin.

Winner of the WWE World Cup Tournament: Shane McMahon