Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Live Results & Report! (11/27/18)

Published

5 years ago

November 27, 2018

Both the Phenomenal One and The Man return to SmackDown! AJ Styles has a response for “The New Daniel Bryan” while Becky Lynch continues where she left off!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

The Bar VS The Usos; The Usos win.
Shinsuke Nakamura VS Rusev; No Contest.
The Miz VS Kofi Kingston w/ The New Day; Kingston wins.
SmackDown Women’s Division Battle Royal: Asuka wins and joins the SmackDown Women’s Championship TLC Match.

PLAY BY PLAY

SmackDown General Manager, Paige, starts the show!

And please welcome back the SmackDown Women’s Champion, Becky Lynch! Yes, The Man is back in town! Nia Jax’s face-breaking, concussion-giving punch kept Becky from fighting Ronda Rousey at Survivor Series, but that hasn’t stopped her from being Relent-Lass. Fans are happy to see Becky and Becky’s happy to be back. Any time is too much time away for her. She bled, fought and won during the raid against Raw and still wanted to fight. But she couldn’t, she wasn’t allowed to. “But not no mo’, baby girl.” The Man is putting herself back in the game! Survivor Series had someone else step into Becky’s shadow for once. As such, Becky gets down to business and calls out Charlotte Flair! And here Charlotte comes!

The Queen walks out and joins both Paige and Becky in the ring. Charlotte did her best to battle Rowdy Ronda at Survivor Series but she resorted to a brutal attack with kendo sticks and chairs. Charlotte suffered her punishment of a hefty fine, but it doesn’t seem like that’s the issue here tonight. Fans duel with chants for Becky and echoing “WOO~!” Becky told Charlotte to give Ronda a beating like Becky would’ve, and she came close. But if it was Becky beating Ronda down, Ronda wouldn’t have gotten back up. Becky wanted Charlotte to step up, but does Charlotte know who Charlotte is? It took Charlotte channeling Becky to beat Ronda. Charlotte tells “Becky, Becky, Becky, Becky,” that she wasn’t being Becky, she was being Charlotte Flair. “The only woman on either roster capable of giving Ronda the beating that she deserved.”

And Becky, or The Man, or whoever, do you know why? Because Charlotte is genetically superior with the mindset to do anything possible to get the job down, “WOO~!” Oh come now. Charlotte went from copying her old man to copying The Man. She’s a bootleg Becky trying to take what’s Becky’s. But at least we know she’s being genuine about it now. Wow Nia really hit Becky hard, didn’t she? Because Becky went from quirky to delusional. Becky is copying Ric while riding Charlotte’s coattails. As for Ronda, “The Queen stands out in a crowd”, and will be at TLC because she’s the one born ready. And Charlotte fought for herself that night, and will fight against Becky here and now!

Paige keeps the peace and shuts these two down. Paige enjoys the fire in Charlotte, and she hasn’t seen that since seeing it in Becky. She hasn’t seen anything like these two, so the SmackDown Women’s Championship rematch will happen, at TLC! But that’s not all, because it will be a TLC Match!! Becky and Charlotte love the idea of that, but then here comes Mandy Rose? And not just Mandy, she has Sonya Deville, Zelina Vega & The IIconics with her. “What a joke.” This is insulting! How dare Paige say no one else has shown the same desire as Charlotte. Everyone talks about what Charlotte did to Ronda, but the reality is that any of them could’ve done that. Any one of these five deserves a match over Charlotte. Paige just doesn’t give them the time of day. Paige left Absolution, for PCB. Why?

But wait, here come Naomi, Asuka, Carmella and Lana! “Hold up, wait a minute, let me put some glow up in it!” These four heard what Mandy was saying, and weirdly enough, they agree. Paige surely isn’t questioning any of their desire. The entire SmackDown women’s Division has great talent. Becky wants them to line up, she’ll smack the heads off all of them! Paige eases Becky back and tells everyone to calm down. But Paige loves the passion! So therefore, every woman will be in a Battle Royal! The winner of that moves on to join Charlotte and Becky for a TRIPLE THREAT TLC! A golden opportunity on the road to Tables, Ladders & Chairs, who will win a ticket to the title match in time for the holidays?

The Usos speak.

“We told y’all!” Jimmy & Jey, along with Team SmackDown, held it down for the Blue Brand at Survivor Series, 6-1! There’s only one name in the game and it’s UCE-O! They take on the tag team champions, after the break!

The Bar VS The Usos!

The SmackDown Tag Team Champions have had a rough few weeks. They lose to The Authors of Pain after a urinary distraction, and then lose to The New Day in the first-ever Thanksgiving Feast Fight. As for Jimmy & Jey, they were the sole survivors to be the 1 in 6-1! Will they bring Cesaro & Sheamus their third loss in a month? Or can the Swiss Cyborg & Celtic Gladiator break out of the Uso Penitentiary?

And for those wondering why the Giant isn’t out ringside for his new pals, it’s because The Bar were upset with him over that Thanksgiving Feast defeat. Cesaro blamed Show for why The New Day got away with that food fight frenzy, so Show punched Cesaro with his giant fist! The trio is back down to a duo, will that affect The Bar in any way?

The bell rings and Sheamus starts with Jimmy. They tie up and Sheamus gets a headlock takeover. Jimmy headscissors out then gets his own headlock. Sheamus powers out and runs Jimmy over. Sheamus runs but into an uppercut! Tag to Jey and the Usos chop away. Jimmy holds Sheamus for Jey to forearm smash then dropkick! Cover, ONE, but Jey stays on Sheamus. Sheamus rocks Jey with a forearm and tags in Cesaro. Cesaro throws hands on Jey then whips him to a corner. Jey stops himself and uppercuts back. Tag to Jimmy and Jimmy goes up to hit double ax handles on Cesaro’s arm. Cesaro pulls Jimmy’s hair and has him on the ropes. He backs off but Sheamus hotshots! Sheamus tags in and they whip Jimmy for the Bar Lariat! The Bar says their catchphrase and we picture in picture.

Sheamus stomps away on Jimmy and puts him in The Bar’s corner with a European Uppercut. Cesaro tags in and hotshots Jimmy, then gives his own EuroUppers. Cover, TWO! Cesaro keeps on Jimmy with an armlock, and wrenches that elbow into the keylock. Cesaro wrenches while Jimmy endures. Jey rallies the fans and Jimmy feeds off the energy. Cesaro tags Sheamus and Sheamus mule kicks Jimmy. The Bar ouble whip for Super Saiyan Kicks! Sheamus soaks up th eheat while Jimmy winces. Sheamus shouts at the fans over their disrespect, then brings Jimmy up. Jimmy hits back with uppercuts and chops! Jimmy backs Sheamus down but gets a mule kick. Sheamus tags Cesaro, and The Bar mug Jimmy with stomps. Cesaro has Jimmy down and stomps away until the ref backs him off.

Cesaro drags Jimmy up again, and into the chinlock. He pulls on Jimmy’s head as fans rally up again. Jimmy powers his way towards his corner a step at a time, but Cesaro pushes him back the other way. Cesaro tags Sheamus and hands off the headlock. Sheamus thrashes Jimmy about, but Jimmy endures. Jimmy gets his second wind and pulls on Sheamu’s Mohawk. Sheamus thrashes more but Jimmy keeps fighting up. Jimmy jawbreakers free! Sheamus tags Cesaro and Cesaro boots Jey down! Jimmy dodges but there’s no one to tag. We return to single picture as Sheamus tags in and rocks Jimmy with a big knee! Sheamus carries Jimmy back to The Bar’s corner and Cesaro tags in. Cesaro rocks Jimmy with another EuroUpper, and Sheamus helps with the suplex. Cover, TWO!

Cesaro tags back to Sheamus and Sheamus rocks Jimmy with another knee. Cover, TWO! The Bar keeps its cool, but fans rally for The Usos. Sheamus puts Jimmy in the corner but Jimmy fights back! Jimmy rocks Cesaro and dumps Sheamus out. Cesaro hurries to get Sheamus up and in, but Jimmy heads for his corner. Tags bring in Jey and Cesaro! Jey rallies with lariats, kicks and a shout-out to Roman Reigns with the fist pump uppercut! Jey whips Cesaro and hits a Samoan Drop! Fans fire up with Jey as he aims at Cesaro. Corner to corner hip attack hits! Cover, TWO! Jey is surprised but he doesn’t lose his cool. He runs into an elbow, Sheamus tags in.

Cesaro takes the dragon whip kick, but Sheamus waits for Jey to build speed. Jey leaps, Cesaro rock shim with an uppercut! Sheamus knees Jey in the back! Sheamus keeps moving, knee drop from the second rope! Cover, TWO! Sheamus keeps going, and is even higher up now. Jey gets out of the way and shoves Sheamus into a post! SUPERKICK for Cesaro! SUPERKICK for Sheamus! Cover, TWO!! Sheamus survives but Jimmy is back up. Jey tags his brother and each Uso takes a corner. Fans fire up as they both aim at Sheamus. Cesaro slides in to EuroUpper Jey! Jimmy leaps on knees, Sheamus rolls him up, TWO!? Sheamus is shocked, but he takes his frustrations out by raining rights on Jimmy. He drags Jimmy over in the fireman’s carry and tags Cesaro.

Cesaro climes but Jey SUPERKICKS Sheamus from behind! Cesaro blats Jey out but Jimmy rolls Cesaro up, TWO!? EuroUpper hits, but then Jey tags in! Cesaro misses in the corner an dgets double kicks! SUPERKICK brings him down, Jimmy Uso Splash! Cover, USOS WIN!

Winners: The Usos, Jimmy pinning

#LOCKDOWN! Jimmy & Jey make the best of even odds, but can they capitalize all over again should they get a tag title match?

The New Day are laughing.

They’re clearly watching something on Xavier Woods’ phone. The Miz comes over and asks what. They say it’s Miz’s best work. Oh wow, Miz didn’t realize they were die heard #Mariners, aka fans of The Marine. What’s their favorite part of Marine 6? Oh no, sorry, they weren’t watching Marine 6 starring Becky Lynch. They were watching Miz from last week losing to the Bryant Brothers. Who who who pinned him? Wayne or Dane? Or Bane? Or Kane? Kairi Sane? Oh wow the guys throwing pancakes making fun of him. Miz and Shane, #BestTeamintheWorld, were battling through injuries from their Survivor Series battle to defend SmackDown’s honor. The same Survivor Series where the New Day’s team were the only SmackDown win 6-1? They were just fine.

Well their match didn’t count, and it was The Usos who won! And it’s not like The New Day wouldv’e done better. Miz can beat any of them, he’s 2/3rds of Best in the World! In fact, Miz will set up a match for tonight. What’s up with Miz? Well Jake Carter has been through a lot, but is still a family man at heart. OMG Big E is actually a fan of The Miz’s Marine trilogy!? But in all seriousness, who will The Miz call out in his match later tonight? And will Miz back up his words of being mostly Best in the World?

AJ Styles heads to the ring!

After 371 days, The Phenomenal One lost his WWE Championship. But “the new” Daniel Bryan cheated to become the new champion. They’ll have their third match against each other at TLC, so Styles promises to speak on that and more tonight. Fans duel between Styles and Bryan already as Styles says that “for 14 days, I have been without the WWE title.” Those 14 days seem a lot longer than those 371 days he had the title. No one likes losing, especially Styles, but it’s the way he lost that bothers him most. And by that, he means Daniel Bryan taking advantage of the referee going down to kick below the belt. On top of that, Bryan beat Styles down after with stomp after stomp and kick after kick. Styles knew there would be a target on his back, but to think that target would move to somewhere else.

Styles knows what it’s like to want something so bad he’d do anything to get it. But it was those stomps and kicks that made it worse. Styles wasn’t even cleared to be part of Survivor Series or last week’s SmackDown because of that. So Styles was home as Bryan gave us his explanation. Bryan claims to be a “new” Bryan, all because his dreams manifested and fought for him. Styles thinks that’s a bunch of BS. But old Bryan or new Bryan, Styles will bash Bryan’s face in either way. And why wait for TLC?! Let’s do this here and now! Fans want it, but the only problem is, Daniel Bryan didn’t show up tonight. Bryan wasn’t at Starrcade or house shows. Maybe Bryan was watching Raw and borrowed a certain idea.

But SmackDown isn’t Raw, it’s the House that AJ Styles Built! For 371 days, Styles never took a night off! He was the champ, and the ring is where he belonged! So if Daniel ever rolls out of his chamber, make sure you show up at TLC. Bring your dreams, your excuses, but most importantly, bring the WWE Championship, “because it belongs to me!” Styles is fired up for the finale of this trilogy, will Styles become the new champion? Or will it still be the new Daniel Bryan?

Lars Sullivan is on his way.

The Leviathan of NXT has decimated many opponents in many different ways, and has both Stephanie and Shane McMahon clambering to put him on their brand. Who will win the bidding war to get this new monster on their roster?

Shinsuke Nakamura VS Rusev!

The King of Strong Style is still WWE United States Champion after WWE Starrcade this weekend, mostly thanks to The Miz going after Rey Mysterio for him. But then the Bulgarian Brute helped Mysterio defeat Nakamura & Miz in a tag match afterward, establishing that Rusev wants back in the hunt. The King has been searching for worthy competition, has it found him first?

But before a bell can ring, Nakamura attacks Rusev! Nakamura stomps away at the ropes then drags Rusev out for a KINSHASA! Rusev goes down and slumps out of the ring while Nakamura laughs. Nakamura goes out but referees keep him away. Fans boo and jeer as Nakamura aims at Rusev again. Nakamura hits Rusev with another Kinshasa! The King leaves without even having competed, but will he be forced to take the Super Athlete seriously sooner or later?

No Contest

We celebrate 20 Years of Jeff Hardy!

The stage is lined with both SmackDown and 205 Live rosters while Michael Cole is in the ring. Please welcome the Charismatic Enigma himself, Jeff Hardy! Hardy appears and everyone from fans to fellow superstars give a standing ovation to him. Hardy takes a quick lap around before he enters the ring. Cole cues up footage that reminds everyone of all that Hardy has done these past two decades, Hardy’s self-portrait of extreme risks and exciting moments. “Sky’s the limit, so here we go.” So many times, Jeff hardy has climbed up something high to jump off it, exciting and maybe even scaring fans in attendance. Alongside his brother, Matt, Jeffy Hardy has held the tag team championships multiple times, and has himself become a Grand Slam Champion with world, Intercontinental and United States Championship reigns. Hardy’s “self-portrait” is nothing less of a Hall of Fame bid.

Fans and fellow superstars given Hardy another standing ovation as the footage ends. Hardy himself is humbled, and can only say thank you to the WWE Universe. Watching all that back, “what’s wrong with me?” Hardy has had a great creative outlet, and he’s gotten much better at face paint. Being the Charismatic Enigma in the highest highs and lowest lows, the fans sticking by him through it all means so much to him. Hardy thanks the fans and the fans thank him back. He even throws a quick “DELETE! DELETE!” Maybe they should delete that? Hardy wouldn’t be here without his wife and kids, and the fans, so he thanks them all for making this night possible. And this is far from a retirement speech, and Hardy isn’t sure what the future holds, but let’s all find out together!

But wait, there was one star who wasn’t present. Here comes Samoa Joe! Shane tries to talk Joe down but Joe “congratulates” Hardy on 20 years. That’s such a long time. Excuse the tardiness, Joe was preparing for a toast, but we all know having a drink around Hardy isn’t the best idea. Shane wants to silence Joe but Hardy wants him to get this off his chest. Joe thanks the WWE for that “wonderful anthology”, what a special treat since Hardy probably wasn’t coherent enough to remember it himself. Joe does not celebrate weakness and does not believe in second chances when there are men like him who haven’t even had their first. Hardy just responds with “DELETE! DELETE!”

Joe continues on to say that what’s worse is that Hardy, after making so many mistakes, still lets himself be put up on a pedestal. For as many times as Hardy has made fans leap out of their seats, there are times he’s let everyone down. But Joe’s consolation is this: people like Hardy never change, those demons never go away, they’re always waiting to get him again. And Hardy will have a “next time”, so Joe offers his hand in a one-step program. It’s quick, but anything but painless. Hardy won’t let Joe rain on the parade. He’s walked this tightrope 20 years and still lives for the moment. How about we have a moment right now?! Hardy’s ready for a fight, but Joe has a change of heart. Joe laughs it off, but will he have to back up his words eventually?

The Miz VS Kofi Kingston w/ The New Day!

The Hollywood A-Lister wanted this match, and now he gets this match! He’ll face the high-flyer of the trio, but will Miz prove he’s truly 2/3rds Best in the World?

The bell rings and Kofi circles with Miz. They tie up and Miz gets a wristlock. Woods hands out pancakes while Kofi flips and handsprings to trip Miz. Kofi splashes and covers, TWO! Kofi keeps on Miz with a headlock but Miz puts him in a corner. They break but Miz kicks low. Miz reels Kofi into a headlock while fans demand more pancakes. Kofi powers out but Miz runs him over. Miz say “No Pancakes!” then runs. Kofi speeds things up and runs Miz over with a back elbow. Kofi clotheslines Miz out, then builds speed. Miz runs away but Kofi was just teasing. Big E pelvic thrusts and Woods plays the trombone, Kofi DIVES! Kofi takes Miz out and The New Day fire up together as we go picture in picture.

The New Day laugh and enjoy themselves before putting Miz back in the ring. Kofi runs and crossbodies to a cover, TWO! Another crossbody cover, TWO! Miz clobbers the crossbody out of the air! Miz stomps away on Kofi, then runs to hit the low boot. He paces around Kofi befre sitting him up. He drives in a knee and hooks the nose. The ref reprimands him so The Miz goes for the arms. Kofi resists and gets up, to put the hold on Miz! Miz turns it back around fast, and brings Kofi down to his knees. Kofi gets back up and fights out! Kofi whips but Miz reverses. Miz runs and hits his A-list lariat! Miz climbs while we return to single picture, and leaps, only to get a dropkick! Kofi and Miz are both down but fans rally behind The New Day.

Kofi is up first and he rallies with double ax handles. He dropkicks and hits the leaping lariat! The New Day fire up again as Kofi hits the Boom Drop! Kofi then takes aim from Miz from a corner. Fans clap along as Kofi swings, but Miz blocks the kick to go for the Figure Four. Kofi powers out, wants the SOS but Miz gets the full nelson. Kofi wheelbarrows and victory rolls out of the Finale to the cover, TWO! Miz gets Kofi with the backbreaker but the neckbreaker is denied. SOS! Cover, TWO!! Miz survives and The New Day can’t believe it. It was close, but Kofi is up again. He brings Miz up but Miz grabs ropes. Miz then kicks low and hits the basement DDT! Cover, TWO!

Miz keeps his cool but then goes for a buckle pad. He pulls it off, but Big E prepares a counter measure! Miz whips Kofi over, but there’s a stack of flapjacks in the way. Kofi rolls Miz, TWO! Kofi kicks away and runs, but into the kitchen sink knee! Woods plays the trombone, but Miz blasts him with a dropkick! And then blames the buckle pad on Big E?! The ref argues with E while Miz gets a chair. Woods takes that away, Miz walks into Trouble in Paradise! Cover, Kofi wins!

Winner: Kofi Kingston, by pinfall

The New Day work together to make sure Kof didn’t lose to the Miz’s miz-chief! Things aren’t going so well for 2/3rds of Best in the World, will he ever live up to that nickname?

Randy Orton heads to the ring!

The Viper still has the damaged mask he took from Rey Mysterio last week, his trophy for the brutality he put on the King of Lucha after their main event match. The Apex Predator has gone from Legend Killer to hero hunter, and he’s only getting started with Mysterio. Orton takes up a mic and says, “disrespectful, disgusting, disturbing.” Those words were used by the fans to describe his actions. But in Orton’s mind, it was “euphoric.” He never understood the big deal behind a mask, “this piece of trash that I ripped of Rey Mysterio’s face.” Orton never bothered to learn the history because he didn’t care to know.

But to make it clear, Orton wasn’t disrespecting lucha libre culture. What he did was to embarrass Mysterio. This was to yank Mysterio off the pedestal the fans put him on. Orton proved to the world that at this stage in Mysterio’s life is “another one of my victims.” A victim of the three most devastating letters in wrestling today. But before Orton can get past the R, Rey Mysterio is here! Mysterio wears a neck brace after what the chair shot to the post did. But he’s not backing down from Orton, he’s bringing the fight! But Orton knees low and then throws Mysterio around! Orton damages this mask and then yanks off the neck brace. He puts Mysterio in the ring but officials come out to stop him. They don’t, so Mysterio kicks away! And then 619 to Orton’s side!

Mysterio keeps going, enziguri putting Orton back on the ropes. And another 619! Fans fire up with Mysterio as he goes to get himself a chair! He wants to return the favor but referees want him to stop. Mysterio doesn’t listen to them, but Orton gets him at the ropes! Draping DDT on the bad neck! Mysterio is down but Orton isn’t leaving it at that. Orton grabs that chair, and then drags Mysterio back out. Orton throws Mysterio against barriers again, then drags him up by his mask. He puts the chair against Mysterio’s throat and shoves Mysterio into the steel steps!! Security comes out to back Orton off, he’s done enough! For the second week in a row, Orton has driven steel into Mysterio’s throat. Will Orton pay for his crimes against the living legend? Or has he erased this hero once and for all?

Shane McMahon meets with The Miz backstage.

Miz wants to know where Shane was. He was back here, obviously. Miz wants Shane to try and meet him half way on making their team a thing. Or a third of the way. Miz could’ve been Kofi if he had his tag partner by his side. Shane points out they’re not actually a tag team yet, but Miz is busy shining the World Cup trophy. Miz, pay attention. Oh sorry, he couldn’t hear Shane over the cries of their neglected World Cup. Whether Shane likes it or not, this trophy bonds them together. It is like their child! And they’re the Best Parents in the World. And that makes them family. So start acting like it! Miz makes Shane hold the World Cup before he storms out. Is Miz 2/3rds crazy right now? Or will Shane come around to join Miz in the #BestTeamintheWorld?

SmackDown Women’s Division Battle Royal!

The Man, Becky Lynch, and The Queen, Charlotte Flair is ringside to watch The FABULOUS Princess, The Golden Rose, The Gladiator Gal, The IIconics, La Muneca (The Doll), The Ravishing Russian, The Empress and The Glow all compete to be part of THE Women’s Championship Triple Threat TLC match! Who joins the historic and hard hitting match in San Jose?

The bell rings and brawls begin! The IIconics fight Asuka and Carmella while Lana goes after Zelina Vega. This leaves the duo formerly known as Absolution to pick on Naomi in another corner. Vega turns things around on Lana while Peyton Royce and Billie Kay get the better of Carmella and Asuka. Lana puts Vega on the apron but Sonya goes after her! Lana bails out from the bottom rope, but she yanks Vega off! The Ravishing Russian ELIMINATES Vega! Vega is furious so she yanks Lana down and runs her over! The battle rages on while we go to break.

SmackDown returns as Lana recovers on the outside. The IIconics go after Carmella while Sonya and Mandy battle the Empress and Glow. Naomi helps Asuka by pulling Mandy away. Lana returns and rallies on the Aussies! Peyton saves Billie and they work together to double whip Lana. The IIconics ELIMINATE Lana! But then they turn around to see the familiar foe of Asuka! Asuka dodges them both to hip attack Billie. Pop up knee for Peyton! Then a forearm for Billie, and a doge, to dump her out! Billie holds on but is kicked. Peyton goes after Asuka but she gets dumped out. Asuka back hands Peyton and the IIconics are stuck. Asuka hip attacks and ELIMINATES both IIconics!

The Empress and the Princess meet, another familiar match up. FABULOUS Kick for Asuka! Carmella drags Asuka up and feeds her a boot in the corner. She then runs back in, but is tossed out. Asuka forearms Carmella, then throws more hands. Carmella covers up, but screams in fear of a roundhouse. Asuka waits until she’s done, and says to breathe. Then she boots Carmella down! Asuak ELIMINATES Carmella! But Sonya and Mandy go right after her! Naomi saves Asuka but gets hit herself. Sonya drags Asuka up to feed to Mandy’s golden knee! Absolution drag Asuka up and throw her at the ropes. Asuka holds on and Naomi saves her again. Naomi fires forearm after forearm on Mandy, then whips. Rear View hits! Sonya runs in but misses, to get a springboard roundhouse!

Naomi fires up as she headscissors Mandy. Mandy blocks with insane strength, and then lifts Naomi up. Naomi end s p on the apron but looks to pull Mandy out with her. Mandy yanks Naomi but Naomi does the splits. Then she dodges Mandy and sends her into the post! Mandy falls, Naomi ELIMINATES Mandy! But then Sonya knees and ELIMINATES Naomi! The final two are Sonya and Asuka, both fierce female fighters. Time to put your hair up and square up! Fans fire up for Asuka as she circles with Sonya. Asuka avoids Sonya’s grip and then fires off kicks. Sonya fires kicks but Asuka dodges them, only to get tackled to the mat! Sonya drags Asuka up quick, and throws Asuka out. Asuka holds on and counter punches.

But Mandy comes back! Mandy’s making up for screwing Sonya out of the Evolution Battle Royal, but gets a sliding kick for it! Sonya runs, but Asuka sees her coming! Asuka kicks her away, kicks her again, then drags Sonya up by that ponytail. Asuka goes to suplex Sonya but Sonya resists. Fans chant and both women are on the apron. They brawl on the edge, double roundhouses rock them! Both Asuka and Sonya hold on and stand back up. They run at each other again, pop up knee ELIMINATES Sonya! Asuka wins!!

Winner: Asuka; joins the SmackDown Women’s Championship TLC Triple Threat

A historic match now becomes epic! The Queen and The Man meet The Empress for the title, will either of them be ready for Asuka?!

My Thoughts:

What an incredible night for SmackDown! And this week wasn’t even about being Raw but better, it was just straight up better. This SmackDown not only lived up to its big episode hype, it exceeded it. Everything was great from top to bottom, and even the weakest part of tonight’s SmackDown (which I’m not even sure if there was a weak point) was still stronger than Raw’s main story.

Opening with Becky’s return was a good move, because that was definitely what fans wanted to get to right away. Becky gave a sort of backhanded compliment to Charlotte with how the beating on Ronda, while great, still wasn’t good enough. Charlotte was the only confusing part, she talked so strongly about doing all that for Becky but then tells Becky she didn’t do it for Becky. Well Charlotte is becoming the Mad Queen so maybe it’s okay if she’s inconsistent.

And while giving us Becky VS Charlotte at TLC is a good move, SmackDown does us one better by giving all their women some time to shine. SmackDown’s use of their Women’s Division is the polar opposite of Raw’s, and all for the better. Raw only had one women’s match last night and two segments that didn’t really work the way they hoped. SmackDown put all their women into one match and it was amazing! I am so so so happy to see ASUKA gets back to the title scene after all she’s been through. It might not happen with how red hot Becky is running right now, but it’d be rather amazing if Asuka won the title at TLC. This would free up Charlotte and Becky to fight, blaming each other for the loss, and then yes, finding a way back to Horsewomen VS Horsewomen.

Then for the men tonight, it’s very strange for Big Show to quit The Bar so soon after joining them. But again the running gag is that Show always seems to flip sides. That aside, Bar VS Usos was incredible and now The Usos have a win over the champs. The New Day also have a win over The Bar, so maybe we’re looking at a Triple Threat tag title match, perhaps with Ladders or Tables. Raw and SmackDown have already established their own TLC matches, so something else needs to be used. For that matter, give me a Chairs Match of Bryan VS Styles. Heel Bryan might try to use Champion’s Advantage, so removing disqualifications makes sense, and it ups the ante so Styles can really beat down “New” Bryan to his heart’s content.

SmackDown also does better at establishing these new feuds. Nakamura refusing to have a match with Rusev by attacking him pretty much confirms they’re competing for the United States Championship in some form. Samoa Joe is going after Jeff Hardy, which makes for a great match-up, and obviously Orton still wants after Mysterio. Call me crazy but I’d love if all three stories were put together in a Six Pack US Championship match, maybe with tables or a ladder. Then Miz’s loss to Kofi establishes “tension” between Miz and Shane in relation to the World Cup. I’m hoping this gives us Miz VS Shane at Wrestlemania, winner has “full custody” of the trophy, aka their “child” as Miz puts it. Having a long build to this will be great, as Miz can use it to establish a better Tweener character, since he seems to be headed down that path.

My Score: 8.8/10

Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!

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Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 4.25.2024

We just got done with Rebellion, and Under Siege is two weeks away! Gotta see how these dots connect!

Published

10 hours ago

April 25, 2024

Andrew Balaz

Rebellion had quite a few returns, Mike Santana, Sami Callihan and Broken Matt Hardy. All three of these guys could easily be main event players, and its nice to mix up and expand what felt like a rather small pool of potential challengers.

Under Siege is only like 2 weeks out, so we’ll see how the dots connect in such a short period of time.

.@AJFrancis410, Rich Swann, and rap legend @BunBTrillOG are IN THE HOUSE Meanwhile, @joehendry announces he will deliver an apology to Fir$t Cla$$ NEXT WEEK on #TNAiMPACT! pic.twitter.com/4GNe2xWfyU

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024

Ratings:

Mike Santana vs Myron Reed w/Trey Miguel & Zachary Wentz: Santana wins via Spin the Block – ** 1/2
#1 Contender: Frankie Kazarian vs Josh Alexander: Josh wins via Grapevine Ankle Lock – ***
ASH by Elegance vs Xia Brookside: Xia wins via School Girl Roll-Up – ** 3/4
Sami Callihan vs The Good Hands: Sami Callihan wins via Cactus Driver ’97 – SQUASH
Eddie Edwards w/Alisha Edwards & Brian Myers vs Nic Nemeth: Eddie wins via Boston Knee Party – *** 1/4

Results:

Did @NicTNemeth say BROKEN? @MATTHARDYBRAND has arrived in the iMPACT Zone! #TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/HbkUangt6e

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024

A weird opening that is just framed to put Nemeth and Hardy together against The System. Feels a little awkward, but who knows how it will play out.

.@JordynneGrace vs @miyu_tjp NEXT WEEK on #TNAiMPACT will now be for the Knockouts World Championship! pic.twitter.com/YnKZjb9yjx

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024

Mike Santana vs Myron Reed w/Trey Miguel & Zachary Wentz

Ahh I didn’t really pay attention to Santana’s theme at Rebellion, but its pretty damn cool. Good stuff.

Rascalz blindside Santana early, but the heel advantage doesn’t last more than a few moves. Santana whips Myron from corner to corner, hits a few Hip Attacks before Myron finally dodges one and starts using his unique offense and agility to his advantage. Matrix dodge, into an Leaping Outside Back in Slingshot Codebreaker. Some more offense and Santana powders to the ramp, Myron jumps over the rope and tries a Flying Cutter, but Santana blocks it, turns things around, gets pushed forward and hits the Rolling Cutter. Santana takes out the Rascalz, heads back into the ring, Myron tries to catch him unawares but eats the Spin the Block off the rope run! Santana wins fairly quickly.

Maclin’s music hits, he tries to employ the help of The Rascalz to attack Santana, but as soon as Maclin positions himself to get in, The Rascalz bail and flip off Maclin. Maclin makes it out of the confrontation relatively unscathed, but at least we know where he’s going for Under Siege probably.

OH FUCK ME WITH RUSTY KNIVES. Because Cardona is hurt Kon is paired with SDL, and she just challenges Jordynne and PCO to a tag match. WHY!? STOP IT. This is hot garbage.

Josh Alexander comes out…I wonder who’s Super Finisher he’s gonna conveniently kick out this time? Brian Myers? Frankie Kazarian? Rich Swann? Because yes, I’m still annoyed that Hammerstone has been in TNA for half a sandwich, he already connects with a Super version of his finish on tacks, and that’s not a finish. Oh Kaz’s music hits. Okay, so time for Josh to kick out of Fade to Black or Flux Capacitor. Kaz talks smack, says he won his match too so he should have a say in who’s number one contender. Josh challenges him, Kaz says not right now, but a referee runs out and says the match is official.

#1 Contender: Frankie Kazarian vs Josh Alexander

Kaz throws his jacket on Josh’s head, and attacks him with some strikes before Josh fights back and throws Kaz out. Commercial break, we see Kaz misses his Apron Guillotine, Josh goes for the Low Crossbody but Kaz dodges and Josh goes flying. Kaz starts throwing some chops and claws at the cauliflowered ears of Josh. Russian Leg Sweep from Kaz for a near fall. Josh swings wildly and Kaz ducks the strike and levels Josh with a Lariat.

Josh blocks a Vertical Suplex attempt, but Frankie pulls off a Fisherman’s Suplex after a few overhead strikes for a near fall. Josh stands up and connects with a straight right, rocks Kaz, Back Body Drop, into a Charging Forearm, Rolling Senton, 2 count! C4 Spike attempt countered into a Back Stabber and then Chicken Wing, but Josh fights it off, rolls through and into an Ankle Lock, Kaz kicks off and into a Head and Arm Cradle for a near fall and then the Guillotine Leg Drop into Slingshot DDT spot from Kaz for another 2 count!

Fade to Black, but its fought off, Big Boot but then Kaz counters the next move with a Power Slam into the Springboard Guillotine Leg Drop, but Josh grabs the Ankle Lock! Locomotion German Suplex time from Josh, Halfhatch Suplex after the Germans, floats over for a 2 count! C4 Spike attempt again, but Kaz fights it off, dumps him over the top rope, slingshots him in and into the Cutter for a near fall for Kaz! After the 2 Kaz grabs a chair and chain, the referee stops the chair of course, so he tries the chain, EY runs down and grabs the chain so Kaz pulls the Eddie Guerrero and the referee admonishes EY, but doesn’t DQ Josh. So as Kaz is busy laughing at EY, Josh picks the ankle, Ankle Lock with the Grapevine, Kaz taps.

Tensions are sky-high between @alexhammerstone and @JakeSomething_! #TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/LLCUJOCy7H

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024

ASH by Elegance vs Xia Brookside

Both are jawing at each other and then throw hands before Xia gets the upper hand with a Headscissors from the Top Turnbuckle, Charging Knees, a Flurry of Kicks, but when the ref forces some space in the corner, ASH is finally able to dodge and work over Xia with her Twisting Body Splash, a few choking moves, a corner Stomp into a Snap Suplex for 2. ASH is in charge elegantly, but the referee keeps forcing space on both of them when they go for corner attacks. Xia manages to take advantage a little, but ASH regains control, kicks Xia up the ramp and then lands her Cartwheel Back Elbow up the ramp. It actually looks pretty cool executed like that.

Headlocks and Hair Pulling to keep Xia down and using energy to kick out. ASH is getting frustrated but Xia is remaining persistent. ASH goes back to the Headlock, but Xia fights up, Jawbreaker, Back Elbow, Kick to the gut and Drop Toe Hold sends ASH face first into the middle buckle. Xia rips off 4 Double Knee Smashes to the back of ASH’s head into her Flying Crossbody for a close 2! Xia pulls her up, but ASH spins out, then Xia slips it, but ASH kicks her in the chest and deposits her to the outside and demands a count from the referee. Iceman puts Jeweled Knuckles/Rings on ASH’s hand, the referee catches her, removes the stuff from her fingers and Xia hits the School Girl Roll-Up for the flash win.

Fraud has thrown the Ballot Box Battle into chaos, but also paved the way for an explosive showdown between @TheTreyMiguel and @The_Ace_Austin NEXT WEEK to determine the #1 Contender for the X Division Championship! #TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/lYHrtgNrc3

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024

Sami Callihan vs The Good Hands

So the Good Hand Jobs are about to do their job to Sami. I’m just gonna assume Sami beats the hell out of both and wins with a Cactus Driver ’97. If anything interesting happens I might actually cover it, but come on now.

.@SteveMaclin has a proposition for @FrankieKazarian #TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/XY6lMdmSWo

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024

Kaz makes a Metallica reference with the “Wash Your Back So You Won’t Stab Mine”…and Sweet Amber is the only good song on St. Anger. So…I ain’t mad.

Eddie Edwards w/Alisha Edwards & Brian Myers vs Nic Nemeth

A little early ground wrestling and headlocks for control from both men. Nothing super flashy to start until we get to the rope run and Nemeth goes for the Flying Body Press to drop Eddie. Before Nemeth can follow up, Lish grabs his foot. Nic does have his brother Ryan in the crowd, trying to get chants going and do the old school ‘power up the babyface’ thing, but Eddie has been in control since Lish got involved. Simple offense, chokes, strikes, Snap Suplexes, Knee Drops, simple yet effective. But then Eddie ducks his head too early, Nemeth kicks him in the face, bounces his head off the buckles a few times, Dropkick sends Eddie reeling to the corner, Nemeth starts the 10 Count Punches but Myers hits the apron to distract and Eddie manages to slip the situation and push Nemeth to the floor.

Commercial break happens, Nemeth is trying to fight back with Chops, but a Kitchen Sink from Eddie puts Nemeth on the floor again! Clubbing blow from Eddie, but Eddie then misses the Hip Attack in the corner and Nemeth counters with the Rude Awakening into the 10 Count Rain of Elbows. Fame Ass-er miss, Eddie tries something but Nemeth turns it into that hesitation DDT for 2! Tuning up the band starts to build and Eddie powders to avoid it. Nemeth throws Eddie back in, goes to the top, but Eddie crotches him, rises up and hits the Superplex into Tiger Driver for 2! Eddie starts mocking with Tuning Up the band but Nemeth hits his own Superkick into an Olympic Slam for 2!

Both men just trade strikes Fighting Spirit style, Eddie says “Always Trust the System” and Nemeth shuts him up with a Headbutt. Danger Zone is blocked, Boston Knee Party gets ducked, they level each other with Lariats! Myers and Ryan Nemeth start fighting to distract the referee, Moose hits the ring and hits Nemeth with the belt. Eddie lands Boston Knee Party and The System wins again!

Overall Score: 6/10

A lame opening segment, a squash match, ASH by Elegance getting her first loss, and a weird way of just pulling the number one contender out of mid air makes for an awkward show. Also Kon still be involved in, literally anything, is negative. However, I can say there was a ton of stuff thrown at the wall this episode, so there’s a chance that some things landed better with other people than myself. The ballot segments were amusing, they overused the “I need to talk to you Santino” gimmick a bit much and personally I feel like having Jake versus Hammerstone is booking yourself into a weird corner.

But hey, the main event was fun, Nemeth getting laid out to the point that there could be a story reason to take him out of the Under Siege match. Kaz with the Metallica reference was pop worthy and I guess its a lot of ‘let’s see where it goes’ kind of angle creation. So it wasn’t complete trash, but its definitely a wait and see episode.

Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!

Coverage

Mitchell’s ROH Results & Report! (4/25/24)

Champions need challengers!

Published

14 hours ago

April 25, 2024

Steven Mitchell

The Queen is coming for her crown!

Athena & Billie Starkz are the top champions in the ROH Women’s Division, but Queen Aminata’s coming after them! Who will she target first?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Isiah Kassidy VS Komander w/ Alex Abrahantes; Zay wins.
Six Man Tag: Top Flight VS The Dark Order; Top Flight wins.
Anna Jay VS Allysin Kay; Anna wins.
Johnny TV w/ Taya Valkyrie VS Will Austin; Johnny wins.
Six Man Tag: The Mogul Embassy VS MANDERS & BEEFTANK; The Embassy wins.
Yuka Sakazaki VS Leila Grey; Yuka wins.
ROH World Tag Team Championships Proving Ground Match: The Undisputed Kingdom VS The Outrunners; The Kingdom wins and denies The Outrunners a title match.
Taya Valkyrie w/ Johnny TV VS Laynie Luck; Taya wins.
Six Man Tag: Lance Archer & The Righteous VS Jon Cruz, GPA & Ren Jones; Archer & The Righteous win.
Abadon VS Nova; Abadon wins.
Triple Threat: Blake Christian VS AR Fox VS The Beast Mortos; Mortos wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Isiah Kassidy VS Komander w/ Alex Abrahantes!

Brother Zay and the Commander of the Skies are coming down from the high of competing against Rob Van Dam on April 20th, but they’re both ready to get back up. Will Kassidy earn his shot (shot shot) at a championship? Or will the AAA Cruiserweight Champion be aiming for ROH gold?

The Code of Honor is upheld, but Zay has his fingers crossed! Zay trips Komander at the bell, says he’s too smart, then he steps on Komander’s dropdown to say “SHOTS! SHOTS! SHOTS!” and “SUCK IT!” Komander keeps cool, he and Zay tie up, and Komander headlocks. Zay pulls on the mask, powers up and out to hurdle, but then Komander steps on him! Komander mocks “SHOTS! SHOTS!” Zay runs up, Komander avoids the boot to then wrench, wrench and mule kick a leg! Kmoander steps over, rolls through, then rolls again, to a HALF CRAB! Zay endures, fights around, ROPEBREAK! Komander lets go and Zay stands back up.

The fans rally, Komander runs in but is put on the apron. Zay runs in but into a slingshot BOOT! Zay comes back but Komander goes up and headscissors Zay into buckles. Komander comes back to springboard, wheelbarrow, but Zay HOTSHOTS Komander and then throws him down! The fans boo but Zay says they don’t teach that at school. Just follow Zay and he’ll get your right. Zay then smothers Komander with his towel! The ref reprimands, Zay lets off and Komander sputters to a corner. Zay bumps Komander off buckles, CHOPS him, then stomps Komander down. Zay says “SHOTS! SHOTS!” as he gives stomp after stomp.

The ref counts, Zay lets off at 4 and dusts his shoes off. Zay goes back to scuff Komander, taunt him, but the fans rally up for Komander. Zay scuffs Komander more, eggs him on, but Komander fights up to fire hands! Zay ducks a roundhouse but not the HEEL KICK! Zay leans on ropes, Komander runs in but Zay puts him on the apron. Komander gets up but Zay triangle jump STUNNERS! Komander flops to the floor, Zay scowls and goes out after him. The fans rally, Zay backs Abrahantes off, and the fans boo. Zay goes back for Komander, SMACKS him off barriers, then grabs the chair.

The fans boo, Zay says watch this, it’s about to be an 8K. Zay runs and uses the chair to LAUNCH, into barriers! Komander avoids disaster, puts Zay in the ring, and he hurries to a corner. The fans fire up as Komander springboards, but Zay moves! Komander rolls through, ducks ‘n’ dodges then RANAS! The fans fire up while Zay bails out. Komander builds speed and WRECKS Zay with a dropkick! Then ASAI MOONSAULT and down goes Zay! The fans fire up, Komander drags Zay up and in, then he springboards again, for a SWANTON BOMB! Cover, TWO! Zay stays in this as fans chant “DOS! DOS! DOS!”

Zay goes to the apron, Komander storms up and stands him up. Zay shoves Komander away, goes up the corner, but Komander runs up! Zay anticipates and GAMANGIRIS! Zay goes up to SUPSER SUSNET FLIP, but Komander flips through!! The fans fire up and Zay is shocked! Zay still BOOTS Komander, fires forearms, but Komander bobs ‘n’ weaves to SLAP, UPPERCUT and power up! Zay turns Komander around but gets a SHOTEI! Komander then jumps up top POISON-RANA! The fans fire up again and Komander runs, but into a SPANISH FLY! Cover, TWO! Or as the fans remind us, “DOS! DOS! DOS!”

Zay says Komander’s done wasting his time. Zay whips, Komander reverses but Zay reverses back to scoop, only for Komander to tilt-o-whirl sunset flip! TWO, but Komander tries a side roll sunset, TWO! Zay escapes, Komander dodges his haymaker and waistlocks. Zay switches, Komander switches back, but Zay grabs the ref! LOW BLOW MULE KICK!! The fans boo as Zay gets away with that one! Abrahantes protests but the ref can’t call what he didn’t see! Zay blows a kiss, before the INVERTED TWIST OF FATE! Cover, Zay wins!

Winner: Isiah Kassidy, by pinfall

Brother Zay didn’t break rules but he did find a loophole to DELETE Komander’s momentum. Will Zay soon have a WONDERFUL ascension to the top of ROH?

ROH hears from Bullet Club Gold.

It was backstage at AEW Dynasty this past Sunday that the Bang Bang Gang unified the AEW and ROH World Trios Championships! Jay White says, “Today, our destiny, fulfilling our destiny by building our Dynasty! Y’see, I’m full! I’m full of that feeling when I get to say, I told you so! When I came to AEW, joined forces with The Gunns, I said the Gunns were money! Brought them in along with Juice Robinson, to Bullet Club GOLD. I said I would bring you gold, and boys, we’re running out of space. Because we’ve got gold a plenty, haven’t we, boys? Cuz I’m the mother effin’ Catalyst of Professional Wrestling! I told you so!”

Austin says their backpacks are heavier on the ride home, but that extra weight just reminds him that the Bang Bang Gang runs this Trios ish! Colten says they like to have fun before and after, but during? They don’t take no ish! There’s this saying around here, “Restore the Feeling.” That’s something for the young guys to get on TV, but guess who are never mentioned? The Gunns! Is it because they’ve been in too many main events? Is it because they’ve been tag team world champions? And now they’re AEW & ROH Trios Champions! The Gunns are the best damn team in the world! White is the best singles man in the world!

And tonight, they are the BEST trio in the world!! And if you’re not down with that, they’ve got two words for ya: GUNS UP!! The Bang Bang Gang is firing on all cylinders, but will they be able to shoot down those who take aim at them?

Six Man Tag: Top Flight VS The Dark Order!

Speaking of the trios championships, Action Andretti, and the brothers Martin get their shot at the Bang Bang Gang this Saturday! Will Top Flight pick up speed going into that Collision? Or will Evil Uno, John Silver & Alex Reynolds prove they are worthy contenders?

The Code of Honor is upheld, the trios sort out, and Darius Martin starts against Johnny Hungy. The bell rings, the fans rally and the two circle. The fans rally for “JOHNNY HUNGY!” as the two tie up. Darius wrenches, wristlocks, but Silver spins and fireman’s carries for the takeover. Silver has the cording hold but Darius fights up. Silver wrenches but Darius spins, slips around, waistlocks, spins Silver and cravats for the neck wrench. Silver endures, powers up and out, but Darius rolls over the dropdown. Darius sweeps a leg to cover, ONE! Darius turns Silver’s sweep into a cradle, TWO!

Silver gets up but Darius arm-drags him back down. The fans cheer, Darius wrenches Silver and tags Action. Action runs to LEAP FROG ATTACK the arm! Action wrenches Silver, tags Dante, and Dante goes up to AX HANDLE the arm! Dante clamps onto the arm, digs a knuckle into Silver’s ribs, or was it a tickle attack? Tag to Darius and Dante snapmares Silver. Darius runs to basement dropkick! Cover, ONE!! Silver stays in this but Darius stays on him. Tag to Dante, Top Flight reel Silver in but the rest of Dark Order save him from the double suplex! So Action jumps in and Top Flight TRIPLE SUPERKICKS!

The fans fire up while Uno and Reynolds spill back out. Action and Darius aim, DOUBLE PLANCHA but Uno and Reynolds DECK them outta the air! Dante brings Silver up but Silver fights the half nelson to then whip Dante into the ropes! Silver then runs up, Uno & Reynolds join in, TRIPLE DROPKICK! Silver then waistlocks to GERMAN SUPLEX Dante into a bridging cover, TWO! Silver tags Reynolds and he short arm LARIATS Dante! Cover, TWO! Reynolds brings Dante up, bumps him off buckles, then tags Uno. Uno CHOPS Dante, then snapmares him to stomp him down! The fans rally for Uno as he tautns Action.

Uno goes back for Dante but Dante throws body shots. Uno CLUBS Dante, bumps him off buckles, and tags Reynolds. Silver holds Dante in whiel Reynolds whips Uno for the SPLASH! Uno goes again, but Dante dodges, goes up and over Reynolds, hot tag to Action! The Sight to See rallies on the Dark Order! ELBOW for Uno! BOOT for Silver! ELBOW for Reynolds! Uno kicks low, whips, but Action handsprings to DOUBLE BACK ELBOW! The fans fire up as Action kips up, and he runs in at Reynolds in a corner. UPPERCUT! Uno runs in but the SPLASH is sent into Reynolds! Uno staggers away, Action DECKS Reynolds!

Action aims, slingshot and SPLIT LEG but he has to bail out as Reynolds moves! Action just uses that to roll and PELE Uno! SPANISH FLY on Reynolds! Cover, Silver breaks it! Darius tosses Silver out but Silver ROCKS Darius! Darius drops down but Dante runs in and uses Darius as a step, POETRY IN MOTION! Silver falls, Reynolds dodges Darius to RAM Dante! Dante comes back, Darius helps him get up and over, then Dante helps in the TORNADO DDT! Darius sets Reynolds up for the STANDING SHOOTING STAR! Cover, Uno shoves Dante onto it! Uno then CHOPS Darius down and goes to his corner.

Reynolds crawls over, hot tag to Uno! Uno fires forearms on all of Top Flight! Uno winds up, but Dante JUMP KNEES! Darius mule kicks! Action KICKS, Darius BUZZSAWS! But then Silver & Reynolds drag the Martins out! Uno dodges Action, tells him to STOP, then ROCKS him! The rest of Dark Order get in, Reynolds spins Action before the TRIPLE ROLLING ELBOWS!! Action wobbles, Uno reels him in, and Silver gives Reynolds the BOOST to take out the Martins! PILEDRIVER for Action! Cover, TWO!! Action survives and shocks the Dark Order! Uno cools off, tags Silver in, and Silver tags Reynolds.

The Dark Order surrounds Action and the fans rally up. They stand Action up, hoist him up, and Silver builds speed, but the Martins trip Silver! Darius drags Silver out, Action gets away and Dante baits Uno. Uno runs in, Dante goes up and over to JUMP KNEE Reynolds! GAMANGIRI for Uno, then Action SUPERKICKS! Dante DIVES to take out Silver, Darius steps in to COMPLETE SHOT Uno! Action and Darius have Reynolds for the double pump handle, DOUBLE LIGHTNING SPIRAL! Cover, Top Flight wins!

Winners: Top Flight, by pinfall

Action, Dante & Darius are flying high and heading for Collision, will they take those unified World Trios Championships away from the Bang Bang Gang in the blink of an eye?

Backstage interview with Athena & Billie Starkz.

Lexy Nair is with the ROH Women’s World and Women’s Television Champions, and says “Ladies and gentlemen, we are calling an Emergency MEM, a Minion Empowerment Meeting.” The Fallen Goddess asks the Minions why they’re here, and Minion #400,237.75 knows why. This is because of Red Velvet and Queen Aminata. They decided to stick their noses in Athena’s moment. The main event of Battle of the Belts, live on TNT, the first time the Overlord has been on live TV in over a YEAR. And Aminata put her hands on Athena, put Athena on her head, and proved that she is nothing more than “a hot piece of porcelain hussy garbage.”

Billie says not to forget about Red Velvet. Velvet acted all high ‘n’ mighty, but she just forgot Billie hasn’t beat her yet. Lexy says then it seems there is some unfinished business. The champs bring Lexy in for an uncomfortable double side hug, and Athena says “Bestie” is right. There is unfinished business. And since MIT is a nonprofit, they’ll give a “scholarship to the biggest ass-whooping Queen Aminata and Red Velvet have ever seen. Got it?” Athena tells Queenie and “Blue Velvet” to either step up or step out. Challenge issued to the Queen and the Chef, but are the Overlord and her sidekick about to get cooked?

Mark Sterling speaks.

“Some people get into professional wrestling because they need to. You haven’t needed anything in your entire life. You have an unlimited amount of resources at your fingertips. Money, culture, knowledge. You wanted to excel at this business, so you got the best training, the best workouts, the best diets, the best gear, the best moves. If it’s not the best, it’s simply not you. But the wisest man doesn’t think he’s the best until he’s surrounded by the best. And now, we all are. You are Ariya Daivari. And you are a Premier Athlete. We are the Premier Athletes.”

The Premier Athletes are here in person.

Sterling talks to his stable and tells them the beginning of phase two was a success. They wanted to assert dominance over ROH, and he would say message sent. However, they were not aware that the message would be sent to ROH World Champion, Mark Briscoe, to Dalton Castle, and half of the ROH men’s locker room. It took SIX men to stand face to face to these three. They’ve got Ariya back and more pissed off than ever. They’ve got National Champion, Josh Woods. And they’ve got Tony Nese in peak, physical performance. Now, they all know The Infantry wasn’t personal. They were just in the line of fire.

The Infantry is just on a long list of people who do not deserve the opportunities. Opportunities that belong to these three physical specimens! Because these are The Premier Athletes. When and where will Sterling’s stable finally break through to that next level?

Backstage interview with Griff Garrison & Cole Karter.

Lexy is now with Maria Kanellis’ baby boys and says they haven’t had the best luck as of late. What’s next? Karter isn’t sure. They keep getting opportunities, but they keep failing. Karter recently had a match against Christopher Daniels, and he lost! Griff says Karter thinks that’s bad, but Griff lost his shot at the ROH World Championship. Griff has faced Mark Briscoe twice in his career, and he’s 0-2. Karter’s match wasn’t even for a title! Griff had so much more on the line! Maria then walks in and sees her boys are disappointed. Well, Mama is disappointed, too. They both could’ve done much better in their matches.

But every loss is an opportunity. Griff was in the ring with THIRTEEN TIME ROH World Tag Team Champion, Mark Briscoe! Karter was up against Christopher Daniels, a legend! Maria’s been in the ring with both of those men, and they have so much experience. That is what Griff & Karter gain every time they’re out there. Every single loss is an opportunity. And everyone around here is always jealous of the abs and the looks, and it’s great that they are. But eventually, they’ll be jealous of what these two do in the ring. And eventually, these two will get back her championships, the ROH World Tag Team Championships.

Maria leads the way, but does anyone wanna tell her that that would mean her baby boys going up against her husband, Mike Bennett?

ROH World Tag Team Championships Proving Ground Match: The Undisputed Kingdom VS The Outrunners!

Speaking of Mike Bennett, he and Matt Taven are still champions after the big assist from Wardlow at Supercard of Honor. But will the Kingdom need their War Machine again real soon? Or will they be able to handle Turbo Floyd & Truth Magnum in 10 minutes or less?

The fans rally up for the Outrunners already while the Code of Honor is upheld Mega Powers style. The teams then sort out, and though Taven is confused, Bennett steps up and starts against Truth. The fans chant “TAVEN SUCKS!” but Taven just eggs the Melvins on. Truth and Bennett tie up, then Truth wrenches to wristlock. Tag to Turbo, he takes the handoff, and he nods as he wrenches and wristlocks. Bennett knees low, flexes on Turbo, then wrenches to an ELBOW BREAKER! Bennett wristlocks, says this is old school wrestling, but Turbo powers up! The fans fire up as Turbo rolls, handsprings, and kips up! Turbo then BOPS Bennett on the head!

The fans cheer, Turbo tags Truth, and Truth wrenches to wristlock. Truth grinds the arm, whips, but Bennett reverses. Taven trips Truth up while Bennett’s all up in the ref’s face! The fans boo and Turbo protests but Bennett dropkicks Truth down! Bennett mocks the old school posing then takes a bow. Tag to Taven, he CHOPS Truth in the corner. Taven CHOPS again, digs his boot in, but the ref counts. Taven lets off to taunt Turbo, and Bennett gets a cheap shot on Truth! Bennett drags Truth up by his hair, the ref sees that and reprimands, but Taven ROCKS Truth. Taven whips, but Turbo trips Truth to actually save him from the crossbody!

Taven tumbles up and out of the ring, Truth gets up to tag Turbo! Truth then runs and Turbo holds ropes up, BASEBALL SLIDE DROPKICK! Bennett runs up, is sent out, and The Kingdom regroups. The fans fire up for Turbo as he fires up, then PLANCHAS! Down goes The Kingdom and Turbo is all revved up! Turbo gets in the ring, shakes the ropes, then tags in Truth. The Outrunners coordinate, to spin and pose! The fans fire up but The Kingdom CLOBBER The Outrunners from behind! The fans boo but Bennett flexes. Bennett brings Truth up, CHOPS, and now fans chant “BENNETT SUCKS!”

Bennett CHOPS Truth, puts him in the corner, and tags Taven. Bennett feeds Truth to a BOOT, adds the BOSTON BAYONET, then Taven LARIATS! Cover, TWO! Truth is tougher than that, but Taven argues with the ref. The ref defends his count, so Taven brings Truth over to ropes. Taven CHOKES Truth but the fans boo. The ref counts, Taven lets off at 4, and Taven soaks up the heat. Truth sputters but Taven tags Bennett. The Kingdom mugs Truth, then Bennett keeps Truth from Turbo with a snap suplex! Cover, TWO! Truth stays in this but Bennett stays on him with a chinlock and stretch. The fans rally as Truth endures.

Truth is red in the face but he fights to his feet. But Taven BLASTS Turbo! Bennett throws Truth by his hair! Turbo storms in but the ref has to stop him. Turbo is upset but Bennett stands on Truth’s face! Bennett clamps onto Truth with a chinlock and grinds him down with a knee in the back. The fans fire up, we pass five minutes as Truth fights up, but Taven runs at Turbo again! Turbo ROCKS Taven first this time! Truth then hits a BIG back suplex on Bennett! The fans fire up, Turbo is feeling it, and Truth crawls over! Truth staggers ot his feet, hot tag to Turbo! Turbo rallies on The Kingdom with big haymakers!

The fans fire up as Turbo scoops and SLAMS Taven! Then he scoops and SLAMS Bennett! Scoop and SLAM for Taven! Scoop and SLAM for Bennett! The fans fire up and Turbo drops an elbow! And another elbow! And then he winds up, flexes, and JUPM ELBOW DROPS! Taven runs up but Turbo kicks! Turbo reels Taven in, flexes again, and hits a BIG suplex! Turbo points to Truth, Truth tags in, and Truth goes up! FLYING FOREARM on Bennett! The Outrunners hurry to get Bennett up, but Taven ENZIGIRIS Truth to stop Boot Camp, er Vice City, or whatever they were calling it! Bennett shoves Turbo into Truth then rolls Truth up, with tights! The Kingdom wins!

Winners: The Undisputed Kingdom, by pinfall (denies The Outrunners a title opportunity)

Taven grabs the belts to celebrate and Bennett says that was too easy. But then the ref suspects shenanigans! Did Bennett pull tights? Bennett defends his innocence, as does Taven, and the ref drops the issue. Will The Kingdom do anything and everything they have to in order to stay champions?

Red Velvet & Queen Aminata speak.

The Chef and The Queen are backstage, and Velvet tells Athena, “There you go again. Stirring up the pot. Oh my gosh, we ruined your moment~! I’m done with you. Billie? You wanna hang with the big girls? You wanna get in big girl business? Then bring it on. Yes, I haven’t forgotten I beat you, twice. And I’ll do it again, and this time, I’m a beat you like your mama never did. You know why? Cuz I don’t roll with minions. I roll with royalty.” Aninata says that’s right. And Athena, oh, they feel so sorry for “ruining” the moment. Actually, Aminata would do it again and again and again. And wanna know why? Because Queen Aminata does not respect Athena as a champion!

Athena has ZERO honor! And no one knows better about honor than The Queen. And Velvet says, “Y’know what, Queen? I’m looking for a fight. Are you looking for a fight?” Aminata is definitely ready for a fight. Velvet says it is time to cook, eat, leave no crumbs, and take out the trash! This dynamic duo is ready to tear down the Forever Champion and her little buddy, will they take the gold right off Athena & Billie?

Backstage interview with The Infantry.

Lexy is now with Trish Adora, Carlie Bravo & Captain Shawn Dean, and we’ve seen them get on a roll. How are they continuing the momentum? Carlie is so glad she asked. Have no fear, you know The Infantry is here. Dean says yes, they are here. And there’s been nothing but targets on their backs. They said they’re the most popular team, and people have been after them. Carlie does realize now that they had those OG Ops, then those really big Ops, and last week, there’s Ops they didn’t even know about. But let’s not forget those really old Ops, the- Oh wait, The Outrunners walk in. Turbo & Truth are feeling good. They may not have targets on their backs, but they’ve got some guns!

Wait, wait, wait. Are they wearing brightly colored camo?! Okay, first they take the Infantry’s move, now they’re copying the swag? What’s next? Trying to take Adora and their homes? What the what, son? Dean has Carlie calm down. He’s always got great ideas. He does? Yes, because next week, Daily’s Place in Jacksonville, Florida, they take this to where it all began! Finally, Infantry take The Outrunners to where they belong, and that’s Boot Camp! Hold on, The Outrunners have been using camo since The Cow Palace. Dean has to hold Carlie back on that one! Turbo has a better idea! Outrunners VS Infantry, Daily’s Place, where it all began!!

WHAT!? Didn’t they just- Fine, CHALLENGE ACCEPTED! Oh yeah? The Outrunners will do Infantry one better and THEY will accept! Let’s roll out! Copy that! WHAT!? Stop copying them, Outrunners!! But will Dean & Carlie finally get through the delusional duo and make them find their own schtick?

Backstage interview with Johnny TV & Taya Valkyrie.

Lexy is with Mr. & Mrs. TV Ready and notes the season finale of Johnny Loves Taya just dropped. How are they feeling? Amazing~! Everyone loves their show, they worked so hard on it for months. Ten episodes, the grand finale, it couldn’t have gone any better. And think about it: awards season! The acceptance speeches, the red carpets, the fashion moments. But in sneaks Aaron Solo. That sounds fun! Though they would’ve won more awards if they had this face on the show. Maybe next season? Johnny says maybe Aaron would’ve been on the show, if he supported it once. He didn’t tweet about it once! All their real friends did.

Uh, Aaron is the Retweet King! Especially those first three episodes. Aaron and Johnny argue but Taya has them calm down. Taya runs the socials for the show, and she can confirm, Aaron did retweet. Oh, well, thanks, bro. Yeah, man! Remember QTV? The handshake? They do the handshake, right down the rocket ship taking off. Aaron says see? They’re bros. Before Johnny Loved Taya, Johnny Loved Solo. Uh… No. Aaron is a loser! TV Ready people do not hang with losers. Remember how his name used to be S O L O W? They took the W away cuz he keeps getting L’s! He’s 0 and THIS CENTURY! Get a win already!

Aaron says fine, if that’s what they want, he will win. And he’ll prove to both of you that Aaron is TV Ready! Aaron heads out, and Taya says it’ scute that he’s so confident. Not that it’ll work out. And they got the last word. Aaron then says “Bye” from offscreen, so Johnny says, “Adios.” Aaron has bet on himself, but will he win out?

Triple Threat: Blake Christian VS AR Fox VS The Beast Mortos!

All Heart, The Whole Fox’n Show and the evolved Black Taurus are among the fastest, toughest and hungriest competitors around, and they’re all looking for that golden opportunity. Will Blake be rolling into NJPW’s Best of the Super Juniors tournament? Or will another big name prove they’re a big deal?

The Code of Honor is upheld between Fox and Blake, but not Mortos. The bell rings, Mortos stares down Fox and Blake. Fox runs in to RAM Mortos but bounces off! Blake RAMS Mortos but also bounces off! They both run up, but he runs them over! Fox & Blake both kip up, but Mortos choke grips them both. Mortos shoves Blake away, but Fox flips through the choke slam! Blake & Fox DOUBLE SUPERKICK Mortos down! Mortos bails out, Blake and Fox coordinate, and Fox runs. But then Blake sweeps the legs! Fox ends up on ropes, Blake runs to BASEMENT 619! The fans boo but All Heart also has some brains.

Blake aims from the apron, springboards in and MISSILE DROPKICKS! Fox flounders to a corner, Blake runs in, but Fox puts him on the apron. Blake RAMS into Fox, slingshots, but Fox goes out to then slingshot SENTONS! The fans fire up, Fox suplexes for ANARCHY! Blake bails, Mortos LARIATS Fox down! The fans fire up as Mortos roars, and Mortos drags Fox up. Mortos suplexes, Fox slips free to waistlock but Mortos switches. Mortos shoves, follows, then rolls off Fox’s back! Mortos SOBATS, KNEES, ELBOWS and snapmares, to then NECK TWIST! Then SNAP POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO!

Fox survives that onslaught but Mortos roars again. Mortos drags Fox up, wrenches and grabs a leg, for a SHIN BREAKER! Fox writhes, Mortos gets legs and steps through, and Mortos ties Fox up for a NAVARRO DEATH ROLL! Fox endures the leg lock, but Blake DIVING DOUBLE STOMPS Mortos! The fans fire up and Blake smirks as he runs in at Mortos. Mortos BOOTS Blake, SLING-DOGS, then CRUCIFIX DRIVERS! Blake wobbles, Mortos whips to POP-UP SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO! Blake survives but Mortos snarls. Mortos drags Blake up, UPPERCUTS him down, and Blake flounders to a corner.

The fans cheer as Mortos drags Blake back up. Mortos reels Blake in to back suplex, but Blake lands out! Blake dodges in the corner, then whips to ropes. Mortos reverses but Blake handsprings, wheelbarrows, SPLASH 182! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Mortos and Blake stir while Fox returns. The fans rally, Fox and Mortos stand first and Fox throws a haymaker! Blake adds a haymaker, he and Fox pinball Mortos around! They put him in a corner, throw more hands, then Fox goes up to rain down fists! Mortos shoves Fox away so Blake rains down fists. Mortos shoves him away, Fox returns to A-LIST LARIAT!

Mortos slumps down, Blake adds a LOW CROSSBODY! Fox skins the cat to DROPKICK Mortos, and then Fox goes to the apron. The fans fire up as Fox goes up, but Blake ROCKS him first! Blake goes up, brings Fox up, but Mortos adds on! The fans are going nuts already for the SPANISH FLY BOMB!! Cover on Blake, TWO! Cover on Fox, TWO!! Mortos snarls but he drags Fox back up. Mortos trophy lifts Fox, but Fox slips free to BOOT! Mortos tumbles out to the apron, and Blake SPEARS him down! Blake hurries to build speed so he can DIVE! Mortos stays up!? So Fox FLIES! Down goes Mortos and the fans fire up!

Fox puts Mortos in but Blake aims first! Springboard 450 SPLASH! Fox adds the SWANTON BOMB! But then Blake TOSSES Fox to cover Mortos, only for Fox to break it! Fox has had it with Blake being so sneaky, and TOSSES him out! Blake is on the apron, he ROCKS Fox, but Fox stops the slingshot! Fox has Blake in ropes, step-up DRAPING DDT! Roll through, but Mortos reels Fox in! Scoop and MORTOS DRIVER!! Cover, Mortos wins!

Winner: The Beast Mortos, by pinfall

Blake and Fox couldn’t say on the same page, and that allowed the minotaur of lucha to take the win! Will nothing stop The Beast Mortos from stampeding his way to a championship opportunity?

My Thoughts:

A good episode of ROH here at an hour and 38 minutes, but that made for quite a bit of filler. I did like the Six Meaty Men Slapping Meat Tag match of Mogul Embassy VS 1 Called Manders, BEEF and Calvin Tankman, but of course The Embassy won. Good return matches for Johnny and Taya, but I liked their promo with Aaron Solo better. It was a good use of continuity bringing up the failed QTV to pivot into a new story for Johnny TV now that Dalton Castle is moving on. Good promos from Mark Sterling, but a bit redundant again to have him hype up Ariya Daivari, then for him to talk directly to Ariya and the others.

Another confusing thing was the promo from The Infantry and Outrunners. Well, the promo wasn’t confusing, the timing was. Perhaps it was a victim of poor pacing as we’ve seen all over AEW & ROH. But I do appreciate we’re finally seeing these two teams have it out for ROH at Daily’s Place “next week,” aka prerecorded sometime this week. Outrunners had a good match with The Kingdom but of course The Kingdom won. But we’re getting an interesting detail where Maria wants her new boys, Griff & Karter, to go for those ROH World Tag Team Championships while her old boys, Bennett & Taven, still have them. Some sort of Kingdom Civil War angle in the works here?

Really good stuff with Zay winning by going to new lows, and really good Six Man Tag to give Top Flight momentum going into their title match with Bang Bang Gang. Really good promo from Bang Bang Gang and of course White & The Gunns are going to retain. And at least they did just what I was hoping by having a promo from Bullet Club Gold on ROH so that it counts as them being on this show. Just needs to keep happening, maybe with some in-person appearances. Not even matches, just BCG watching other trios fighting it out because they’re scouting, aka foreshadowing, new opponents.

Great main event Triple Threat but also a fast one, Mortos with the big win over Fox and Blake. While there’s something brewing for the ROH World Championship with Mark Briscoe being around Dalton Castle and The Premier Athletes, maybe Mortos can find himself in the world title scene for the next ROH PPV. And then great promos from Athena & Billie as well as Velvet & Aminata. We’re definitely getting a tag team match that will end up earning Velvet a shot at the Women’s TV title and Aminata a shot at the Women’s World title, and those will be awesome matches.

And if either of the champs is losing, I’m actually thinking it’s more Athena losing to Aminata than Billie losing to Velvet. I’ve said it before, Aminata’s proven herself worthy, and if she wasn’t gonna be inaugural Women’s TV Champ, might as well make her the woman that dethrones the undefeated Athena.