Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (2/19/21)
One last battle before Elimination Chamber!
SmackDown has a Six Man of their Elimination Chamber contenders!
Before stepping inside the sinister steel, Roman Reigns’ six potential challengers battle in a Six Man Tag on the SmackDown before Elimination Chamber!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Apollo Crews VS Shinsuke Nakamura; Nakamura wins.
- The Riott Squad VS Tamina & Natalya; Tamina & Natalya win.
- Six Person Mixed Tag: Sasha Banks, Bianca Belair & Reginald VS Nia Jax, Shayna Baszler & Bayley; Sasha, Bianca & Reginald win.
- Rey & Dominik Mysterio VS The Alpha Academy; The Mysterios win, by disqualification.
- Six Man Tag: Kevin Owens, Daniel Bryan & Cesaro VS Jey Uso, King Corbin & Sami Zayn; Kevin, Bryan & Cesaro win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Edge returns to SmackDown!
The Rated R Superstar and Men’s Royal Rumble Winner still has a choice to make, but as he said a couple weeks ago on Raw, he is going to wait until Elimination Chamber has sorted things out! But he’s back on the blue brand tonight, gets a mic, and says, “It is good to be back on SmackDown headed into Elimination Chamber this Sunday!” He has a lot of decisions to make. On one hand, Drew McIntyre defends his WWE World Championship in the Elimination Chamber. On the other, Roman Reigns defends his WWE Universal Championship at Elimination Chamber.
Edge isn’t one to judge, he is an opportunist, but Roman is making the smarter play. McIntyre could lose in an instant, but Roman is defending against a man who had to survive a Chamber match. Two matches, 13 possibilities, Edge will quit talking and start evaluating. This is the biggest decision of his career. But speaking of Roman Reigns, here he comes! And of course he has his Special Counsel and his cousin right behind him. After taking his time going to the ring, Paul Heyman hands the Head of the Table a microphone, and Roman says Edge doesn’t have 13 choices, because there’s only one. That one is the 4-time, could’ve been 5, might even be 6-time WrestleMania main eventer. So Edge could pick a main eventer, or THE main eventer.
First of all, Edge remembers Roman saying he saw fear in Edge’s eyes. What he really saw was a guy playing Roman like a fiddle. Edge is supposed to acknowledge Roman as a main eventer, but he just can’t. Because Edge saw a couple weeks ago, Roman do something he’s never done before: lose his cool. Roman confirmed to Edge that Roman needs Edge to be the main event. If AJ Styles walks out of the Elimination Chamber champion and Edge chooses him, that is the main event. If it’s McIntyre VS Edge, that’s main event. Edge VS Orton, Edge VS Kevin Owens, Edge VS Kofi Kingston, those are your main events.
And now that Edge looks into Roman’s eyes, he sees insecurity. Now don’t get Edge wrong. Edge does acknowledge a man in his prime, firing on every cylinder, a “generational talent” with a long road ahead. Edge respects Roman and the Anoa’i Family. But Roman has gotten too much, too soon, and he is cracking under that pressure. And Edge hasn’t even started adding his pressure yet! So Roman needs to ask himself if he really wants Edge to focus on him, to expose the dents in Roman’s armor? Check the ego and think on that long and hard. Is that what Roman wants? But before Roman answers, here comes Sami Zayn!
“This is amazing!” Sami says it’s one thing to be disrespected by management, who have a clear conspiracy! But then to be disrespected by two of the biggest stars in the industry, that’s something else. Edge acts like it is a forgone conclusion that Roman Reigns is his choice for WrestleMania! And Roman is so worried about the threat Edge poses, he’s not looking at the threat that’s right in front of him! Sami gets in the ring and says WWE Management didn’t want Sami in the Elimination Chamber, but Sami plowed his way in! That should worry them both!
Edge, once upon a time, he was the ultimate opportunist, but Sami is the master strategist, and that should worry him. And Roman, Tribal Chief, Sami has respect. But Sami is the Champion of the People and that should worry him! So what Sami wants is for the cameramen to get this moment! Sami has his crew get this iconic shot of Sami pointing at the WrestleMania sign! Pointing at his destiny! Because no doubt about it, Sami is going to- Jey Uso SUPERKICKS Sami down! Jey just shut Sami up, and Roman and Edge stare down. Roman hands the mic back to Heyman, and then hands the belt over. Roman puts his hands behind his back! Roman whispers something to Edge, and then takes his leave. What did the Tribal Chief tell the man who could go after his title?
Big E heads to commentary!
The WWE Intercontinental Champion and Powerhouse of Positivity wants to watch this coming match! Will his former friendly rival be able to take the fight to the King of Strong Style? We find out, after the break.
Apollo Crews VS Shinsuke Nakamura!
SmackDown returns as Big E is enjoying his TV dinner and automatic foot spa while sitting on his special couch. Nakamura makes his entrance first, then Kayla Braxton quickly interviews Apollo about his “hopes of reentering” the title picture. Have the aspirations he has affected the friendship he had with Big E?
Apollo says he’s always respected Big E and always got great advice, such as, “You can’t sit around and wait for opportunities. You got to make them happen yourself.” That’s what Apollo did last week but then Big E says he should go back to catering? Big E never respected Apollo and never got to know the real Apollo. Apollo’s ancestors are Nigerian royalty! If Big E spoke to them like he did to Apollo, he would’ve lost his tongue! Apollo says Big E is intimidated by the real Apollo. So when Apollo wins here, he’s coming for what he deserves! Apollo makes his entrance, will he force Big E to face him once again?
The bell rings, Nakamura and Apollo approach and Nakamura fires off strikes! Nakamura knees and runs but Apollo drops and hurdles. Nakamura gets around, Apollo elbows him away but runs into a kitchen sink knee! Nakamura drops a knee, covers, TWO! Nakamura stomps Apollo, drags him up to a headlock, but Apollo powers out to then dropkick Nakamura down! Apollo basement dropkicks Nakamura out, then runs to baseball slide Nakamura down! Nakamura almost tips over Big E’s foldable table and spill the food! Apollo goes out but Nakamura fires off! Apollo hits back and then throws Nakamura into Big E!
Big E gets mad and tells Apollo to stop messing with him. The ring count is climbing but SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Apollo snap suplexes Nakamura down! Cover, TWO! Apollo drags Nakamura, whips him to ropes, but Nakamura holds ropes to stop. Apollo runs in, blocks a boot but gets an enziguri! Nakamura runs, dodges and DYNAMIC DROPKICKS! Nakamura fires off KICKS on Apollo, knocking him down each time! Nakamura whips, Apollo boots but Nakamura blocks to put him in the ropes! SLIDING GERMAN SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! Nakamura stomps Apollo, kicks him around, then runs, but into a SPINEBUSTER! Apollo covers, TWO! Apollo grows frustrated and Nakamura gets up as the ref starts counting.
Big E gets annoyed that commentary keeps asking about Apollo getting another chance. Apollo blocks a punch to enziguri back! Apollo trophy lifts but Nakamura slips out to hit an ARMBAR TAKEDOWN! Apollo tries to get out but Nakamura makes it a cradle, Nakamura wins!
Winner: Shinsuke Nakamura, by pinfall
But Apollo is a sore loser and he BLINDSIDES Nakamura! Big E gets up as Apollo throws Nakamura out. Apollo throws Nakamura into barriers! Big E glares at Apollo and tells him he needs to accept that he lost. Apollo takes apart the steel steps, but Big E steps in his way! Big E tells Apollo it’s done but Apollo tells him to get out of the way. Big E tells Apollo to put the steps down and walk away. Apollo drops the steps, starts to leave, but as soon as Big E checks on Nakamura, Apollo gets the steps! Apollo BLINDSIDES Big E with the steel, then he CLOBBERS Nakamura over barriers! “It ain’t over until I say it’s over!”
Apollo sees Big E wants to get after him, but he picks up the steps again! Apollo TOSSES the steps into the ring, and then he tells the ref to stay out of the way. Big E sits up, Apollo gives him toying kicks. Apollo drags Big E up and puts him in the ring. Apollo looms over Big E as Big E glares back up at him. Apollo grabs the steps, brings them up again, but the ref steps in the way! Big E bails out, Apollo still holds the steps up, and says he’ll put them down, ON TOP OF BIG E!! The ref and commentary freak out but Apollo shows no remorse. Medics hurry to check on Big E, what will the consequences be for Apollo crossing the line?
SmackDown returns as Big E is stretchered out.
With neck in brace, Big E is wheeled up the ramp. At the same time, Seth Rollins makes his entrance! The Savior of SmackDown of course has a mic and he says, “That’s a tragedy!” What happened to Big E is a tragedy, being betrayed by a friend is tragedy. Rollins would know about that because last week, all of his so-called friends turned their backs, walked away and betrayed him! Rollins understands Big E’s pain. If you don’t believe him, or you need a reminder, there is proof from last week. Show the footage. That is to say, a replay of Rollins’ return with the entire SmackDown roster ringside.
Rollins said it felt right to be back, and said a lot has changed, especially for him. He is the father of a baby girl, his life has changed, but his personality has not because he still insists he and he alone can lead SmackDown to a brighter future. And it was this selfish speech that made everyone else leave, refusing to #EmbraceTheVision. Cesaro stuck around the longest, but not because he understood or accepted. He was the one to tell Rollins he hadn’t changed. So Rollins attacked him for it! Daniel Bryan got Cesaro to stop, but there was still anger in Rollins’ eyes.
Rollins in the present says “that is emotional trauma. I’m still suffering.” It is unacceptable at the work place, and Rollins had to something. So Rollins’ lawyers drafted a “formal complaint” to WWE management and legal action is pending. Rollins is sure they’re going to win, but he will tell us why he’s done this. “As I stated in my letter, months and months and months went into planning our big moment, my return to SmackDown! And it was ruined!!” Not by his friends, but by a bunch of losers and cowards. They ruined it because they’re afraid! They want to divide us! They know that there are already millions and millions who have embraced the vision for SmackDown!
Rollins vows they will win because they are strong and powerful and the other side are a bunch of losers. The biggest loser is Cesaro. Cesaro took “our” moment! He took it and made it about him! Cesaro disrespected “us,” patronized “us,” and stayed behind just to look Rollins in the eyes and disrespect him. What happened? That’s not on Rollins’ hands. As far as Rollins is concerned, Cesaro asked for it. And that will happen to every single person who will stand in “our” way! Rollins says “WE” are strong, powerful winners! #EmbraceTheVision, thank you, good night. A powerful speech from Rollins, but again rather hypocritical. Will Rollins be made to see the truth?
Edge talks with Kevin Owens backstage.
A crazy couple of months, huh? But here’s the thing, Edge appreciates that Kevin might get knocked down but he gets back up, just like Edge. Kevin says Edge would be the one to understand. Edge spent the last year obsessed with a return and the Royal Rumble and all that. Because for Kevin, it’s been hell. He got so close to the title three times, and Roman found a way out. The only thing Kevin can think about is getting through the Elimination Chamber, getting at Roman one more time, and finally taking that title from him. That’s all Kevin can think about. Edge respects that and wishes him luck. It’d be great to face him at Mania. Kevin agrees. But will that be how things turn out on this Road to WrestleMania?
Sonya Deville and Adam Pearce clear a path for Big E.
The stretcher comes through and is loaded into the ambulance. Has the Powerhouse of Positivity been sidelined by the apathetic Apollo?
The Riott Squad VS Tamina & Natalya!
Ruby and Liv want to be WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship contenders just as much as this duo of second generation superstars! But with the line getting longer, will a win here convince WWE management to add them to the list?
Ruby and Tamina start and tie up. Tamina throws Ruby down hard and Ruby wobbles up to her feet. Ruby manages to hit Tamina with a forearm then a chop, but Tamina doesn’t flinch. Tamina HEADBUTTS Ruby and Liv tags in. Liv fires off kicks, Tamina grabs the leg to elbow it! Tamina drags Liv up, fireman’s carries but Liv sunset flips. Tamina stays up, brings Liv back up, but Liv goes matrix! Only for Tamina to gut wrench her up! Liv slips out, shoves and dodges to springboard, into an UPPERCUT! Tamina tags Natty in and then brings Liv up. The second gen stars mug Liv, and Natty RAMS Liv to a corner!
Natty fires off fierce fists, then gets Liv around for a rebound atomic drop, only for Liv to make it a victory roll! TWO, and Natty grabs Liv’s hair! Liv elbows free, tags Ruby, and the Squad double shotgun dropkicks Natty! Ruby fires off on Natty, rolls and runs in to forearm smash! Ruby snapmares Natty to then run and tilt-o-whirl, to forearm smashes! Natty whips Ruby away, Liv tags in, the Squad coordinates, LIV BREAKER STO COMBO! Cover, TWO!! But wait, here comes Billie Kay? She’s bandwagon-ing Natty and Tamina now! Ruby tags in and Billie gets catty, so that Natty can roll Ruby up! TWO, and Natty goes after legs! Ruby kicks Natty away, Tamina tags in!
Tamina runs through Ruby to DECK Liv! Ruby ENZIGURIS Tamina, runs, but into Tamina’s scoop, and SWINGING SLAM! Cover, Tamina and Natty win!
Winners: Tamina & Natalya, by pinfall
Billie celebrates with her new friends, who she ironically tried to team with before. But Natty shoves Billie into Tamina’s SUPERKICK! The only two these two need are each other, but will they be going after the Women’s Tag Champions before Naomi & Lana on Raw?
SmackDown shares Sasha Banks’ Daytona 500 experience!
The Boss got to wave the green flag and get things started! Her adrenaline was pumping, and she hasn’t felt that way in a long time. It was an amazing day to partner with Fox and NASCAR, it is such an honor for her.
King Corbin finds Edge backstage.
“You feel this, right?” This feels like the main event of WrestleMania. Corbin also knows Edge made his name on SmackDown. Things have changed, this is Corbin’s kingdom now. Corbin says that the next time Edge sees someone wearing a $10,000 suit and a $39,000 watch, “you bow down.” Wanna see Edge’s timepiece? It’s a phone! It takes pictures, too! He should really try it.
SmackDown presents an all new DING DONG, HELLO~!
Bayley is here, and she welcomes to the second, that is DOS, the second episode of her talk show! And she has two, DOS, huge guests, the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions, Shayna Baszler & Nia Jax! Ding dong, Bayley will get it! She opens the door and there the champs are! But these two can’t agree on who goes through first so Nia pushes Shayna aside to walk in. But there’s only one seat for guests…? But hey, as the first and former Women’s Tag Champion, Bayley gets how taxing it is to be on all three brands, so she thanks them for being part of her show tonight.
Nia says she’s glad Bayley is having them, and hopes Bayley isn’t still upset that Nia and Shayna took these titles from her. What? No! Bayley is thankful! Them winning those titles helped Bayley get rid of Sasha and find herself. Look at this! She has her own talk show! If you haven’t heard, Bayley might even be taking Ellen’s place. Well the best thing she did is get rid of Sasha. Sasha is so fake and phony. Almost as bad as Bianca “ThE EsT~ oF wWe~!” Is she really stronger than Nia? Or tougher than Shayna? Whoever raised Bianca, they led her wrong. Bianca is bad, but Sasha is worse! She’s acting like she’s the sexiest thing on TV but uh, Nia’s here so…
Sasha thinks she’s the Boss, but Nia and Shayna aren’t going to take any orders from her. They’ll squash her like the little bug she is! Please, please, excuse Reginald as he defends Sasha’s good name. Sasha is like a ’96 Château Lafite, bold and timeless! Nia and Shayna are more like boxed wine. Bayley says if Reggie is going to interrupt, please the door. But he does set the plant back up so that’s nice. Nia asks the “little man” if that is a challenge. Reggie apologizes, but he is just saying Sasha is the greatest in the world. If she were to team with her “sidekick,” Belair, then these two would be former champions.
But speak of the Boss and here she comes! The SmackDown Women’s Champion doesn’t use the door, either. And she tells Reggie to NOT EVER speak for her. As for the champions, whether they like it or not, Sasha IS the Boss, and the title means she makes the rules. So yes, Bianca will choose to challenge her, because the Women’s Division revolves around Sasha! But speaking of, here comes Bianca! Bianca will get to “Shay-Nia” soon enough, but to Reggie, she ain’t so sidekick, side chick or whatever. Sasha, you first. “Girl, uh-uh.” Bianca winning the Women’s Rumble says the EST is the star of the division. No one revolves around her, they just get beat by her.
Reggie steps in first, to say they are all on the same team here. They shouldn’t fight each other. They should fight the others. How about a Six Person Tag? Wait, Bayley doesn’t want to be dragged into this! Nia shouts this should happen NOW! Get a ref!! Bayley’s second episode is going off the rails, but is there going to be such a match after the break?
Six Person Mixed Tag: Sasha Banks, Bianca Belair & Reginald VS Nia Jax, Shayna Baszler & Bayley!
There is, playa! Will the Boss, the EST and Carmella’s sommelier be able to best the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions and the Role Model?
Bianca and Shayna start, they tie up, and Shayna wrenches to a hammerlock then headlock. Bianca powers up to throw Shayna off, and then they go again. Bianca waistlocks and SLAMS Shayna down, but Shayna gets up. Shayna elbows free, but Bianca runs her over! Bianca drags Shayna back up, Sasha tags in, and they work together to GlamEST KNEE Shayna down! They point to the WrestleMania sign together and Reggie wants to be part of that, and shows off by handspringing into the ring. They tell him to go back and wait for them to tag him in, but then Nia tags in and RAMS Sasha down!
Nia puts Sasha in the corner, Bayley tags in and she stomps Sasha. Bayley isn’t even dressed to compete, she’s stomping Sasha without shoes on! Bayley clubs Sasha and talks trash as she chokes Sasha on the ropes. The ref counts, Bayley drags Sasha over to tag in Shayna. Shayna drops elbows on Sasha’s leg and then pulls on the foot. Sasha endures, Reggie feels her pain but Sasha kicks back. Shayna SMASHES Sasha’s knee into the mat! Shayna drags Sasha up, Nia tags in, and they mug Sasha, to then feed to a scoop and SLAM! Nia covers, TWO! Nia drags Sasha back up, whips her to a corner, but Sasha gets out and Nia hits buckles!
Sasha kicks back, Bayley runs over but Sasha dumps her out! So Bayley trips Bianca up! Sasha KICKS Bayley away, Nia drags her up but Sasha jawbreakers! Tag to Reggie! But then Reggie gets face to face with Nia and steps back. Reggie wants her to take it easy, but she says he started this. They tie up and Nia doesn’t budge! Nia shoves Reggie down hard, and says she is not some cheap boxed wine! She runs Reggie right over! She throws him around, Reggie tries to drop toehold but Nia stays up. Nia tosses Reggie to a corner, but Reggie dodges and runs, only to get run over again! Nia drags Reggie around, stomps him, and then drops a leg, to miss! Oh no, not her hole!
Reggie and Nia crawl, but Sasha and Bianca trip Shayna up! They hammer Shayna down and Nia is alone. She turns around but catches Reggie’s fancy flip! Nia brags that not tonight, but Bianca and Sasha double dropkick them over! Reggie has a cover, they win!!
Winners: Sasha Banks, Bianca Belair & Reginald, by pinfall
What a turnaround for the smooth-talking sommelier! Will the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions be in trouble going into their gauntlet of challengers?
Backstage interview with Cesaro!
The Swiss Superman is ready for the Six Man Tag match with his Elimination Chamber opponents. But what are his thoughts on Rollins’ comments? Well, Cesaro heard all of that. Cesaro wasn’t patronizing Rollins, he was just trying to show respect. Cesaro hoped to see a new Rollins, because he’s known him for years. He hoped we’d actually get the old Rollins! That moment could’ve been that return, but instead it was just the smug, condescending SOB Rollins was when he left. And Cesaro will keep that attack in mind. But for now, Cesaro looks to the future! Tonight’s Six Man, then the Elimination Chamber, and then taking the Universal Championship from Roman Reigns.
Edge comes by to say hey. Edge doesn’t know what’s gotten into Cesaro but he likes it. That grit, that dirt on the fingernails, Cesaro has that. Cesaro appreciates that. And Cesaro already knows what’s next after Elimination Chamber. Cesaro hopes to see Edge at WrestleMania. Will the Swiss Superman’s confidence carry him through this weekend?
Rey & Dominik Mysterio VS The Alpha Academy!
Father and son team up again, moving past falling short and hoping to rise up together! But will Chad Gable and his star pupil, Otis, be a huge obstacle in their path?
SmackDown returns and The Dirty Dawgs, Robert Roode & Dolph Ziggler, have joined commentary while drinking from red Solo cups. Seems they’re here to send a message to all the teams in the SmackDown Tag Division. Otis & Gable make their entrance, the teams sort out, and Dom starts with Gable. Gable gets a waistlock, drags Dom down and rolls him around. Dom gets up but Gable slams him back down! Dom gets up, Gable German Suplexes but Dom lands on his feet to Japanese Arm-Drag then dropkick! Dom kips up and dares Gable to bring it! Gable tags to Otis and Otis runs Dom over! Otis fires up, Rey tags in and shoulders into Otis! Rey springboards to seated senton!
Things speed up, Rey springboards but Otis catches him for a POWERSLAM! Otis drops a SPLASH, but Gable sees Dom coming and warns Otis. Otis CLOBBERS Dom and Dolph starts to feel bad for him. Gable tells Otis to do the ropes, but the ref is counting Gable! Otis SPLASHES, but the ref rings the bell!
Winners: Rey & Dominik Mysterio, by disqualification
Gable doesn’t even realize what happened, he’s just proud of his “greatest student.” The Dirty Dawgs can’t believe how dim Gable and Otis are, but Gable starts saying “this is once in a lifetime” with Rey. Otis is going up top?! The match is over but Otis SPLASHES Rey!! Gable is so proud of Otis, but what has he been teaching the Blue Collar Brawler?!
Edge comes across Daniel Bryan warming up.
Edge has been meaning to, well, thank Bryan. Bryan fighting to get his career back inspired Edge to get moving. Bryan is glad Edge is back. And if Edge wants to thank Bryan, well he knows Edge has a decision coming up. Bryan will make it easier: If Bryan wins the Chamber, and then wins the title, how about Edge chooses him for WrestleMania? Well that’s a dream match right there. One that’s long overdue. These two are in agreement, but will the Road to WrestleMania lead us to the GOAT VS the Rated R Superstar?
SmackDown returns as the Mysterios make their exit.
Dom is helping Rey up because of the devastating damage done to his ribs from Otis. Rey can be heard gasping for air, will he be okay?
Cesaro and Bryan talk backstage.
Kevin walks over and asks if they’re going to talk strategy. Well, they were talking strategy: what to do if they get a Stunner in the middle of the match. But they don’t have to worry about that, Kevin never turns on his friends. Oh, of course! But no, wait. What about that time with the New Day where Kevin was “Big O?” And then Sami Zayn once, twice… Well it is Sami but like, it was a lot of times. And there’s a big name in there somewhere, Bryan can’t remember it. Maybe he should’ve made a list?
Ha ha, Kevin gets it. Especially after last week. But last week was a big fight, Kevin was sure they were going after him first. But tonight, they are a team, and quite frankly, they all want to win this match. So don’t worry about a Stunner tonight. But definitely worry Sunday. Cesaro says at least Kevin’s being honest. But is he?
Reginald serves Carmella wine.
But she is not happy with earlier. Where was he? What took him so long to get her this fine glass of wine? Well Reggie had to make sure it was the perfect temperature and had time to breathe. So that’s what we’re doing? Playing games? No, there’s no games. Do you think she didn’t watch SmackDown!? That’s not how it looks! He was just- Shhhhhhh! SHH! Relax, she’s not mad. She totally understands that he is doing the right thing for Mella’s sake. Because if he doesn’t… Well, let’s just hope it doesn’t get there.
She drinks the wine, and hates it! Is this what he’s serving her? It’s disgusting! She throws the drink in Reggie’s face! Is Mella going to keep Reggie loyal to her? Or simply push him into the proverbial arms of The Boss?
BREAKING NEWS!
After the huge win with help from Reggie, The Boss & The EST have a shot at the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships! And it’s happening at ELIMINATION CHAMBER!! Will Nia & Shayna be able to make it through the LegitEST team in order to then face the rest of their growing contender’s list?
WWE celebrates Black History Month.
“No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background or his religion. People must learn to hate. And if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love. For love comes more naturally to the human heart than it’s opposite.” – Nelson Mandela
Six Man Tag: Kevin Owens, Daniel Bryan & Cesaro VS Jey Uso, King Corbin & Sami Zayn!
The Prizefighter, the GOAT, the Swiss Cyborg, the Wolf King, the Great Liberator, and even Roman’s own cousin are all fighting for a title shot in the Elimination Chamber! But with Kevin having hit everyone with a Stunner, and with #MainEventJey having hit Sami with a Superkick earlier tonight, will either of these trios make it through the night? And to raise the stakes just a little more, Edge joins commentary! Will there be a man who stands above the rest before going into such a grueling match this Sunday?
SmackDown returns as Daniel Bryan makes his entrance, followed by Cesaro, and then followed by Kevin. The trios sort out, and Bryan starts with Jey. They tie up, go around, and Jey puts Bryan in a corner to fire off hands! The ref counts, Jey lets off but Bryan turns it around to give kicks and forearms! Bryan tags Cesaro, they double scoop slam Jey, then Cesaro goes after Jey, but Jey gets away to tag Corbin. Corbin and Cesaro circle, tie up, but then Corbin backs off to tag in Sami. Sami and Cesaro circle, approach, and Cesaro gets around. Tag to Bryan, they mug Sami, and Bryan ROCKS Sami with that EuroUpper! And then another one!
Sami gets to a corner, Bryan brings him out to whip, but Sami reverses. Bryan tries to get under but Sami just rams into him! Sami throws more knees into Bryan, then tags Corbin. Corbin drags Bryan up to DECK him with a right hand, then chokes him on the ropes! The ref counts, Corbin lets off, and then drags Bryan up to knee him low. Corbin throws hands, tags in Sami, and Sami argues with Corbin about it. They don’t se Bryan get away to tag Cesaro! Cesaro ROCKS Corbin, BOOTS him, then fires off EuroUppers on Sami! Cesaro whips Sami to a corner, EuroUppers, then goes corner to corner for another EuroUpper! And then the other way, and back again!
Sami flops down, Cesaro dares someone to get in, and now Jey argues with Sami. Sami says Jey and Corbin don’t have his back, and he’s right because they put him back in! Cesaro gets Sami for a SWISS SWING! They go around and around and around, for almost 20 counts! Cesaro then catapults Sami into the corner! Corbin tags in, but Cesaro trips him up! Corbin goes for a swing, but it’s not so easy. Cesaro stomps Corbin to get him going again! Cesaro gets a bit dizzy and they crasy into ropes! Fans are fired up on their screens as SmackDown goes to break!
SmackDown returns once more, and Cesaro has Corbin back in the swing! They’ve gone for at least 15! Cesaro then steps through, but Corbin scrambles! Jey tags in, Cesaro DECKS him, then Cesaro EuroUppers Corbin! Jey drags Cesaro out to whip him over commentary!! Oh, and it turns out Paul Heyman has joined commentary since the last commercial. Jey puts Cesaro back in, then basement dropkicks him in the corner! Tag to Sami and they mug Cesaro. Sami digs his knees into Cesaro while choking him on ropes. Sami lets off to taunt Bryan and Kevin, then he throws hands on Cesaro. Sami throws more hands, then tags Corbin.
Corbin brings Cesaro around to back suplex high and hard! Corbin grinds Cesaro’s arm then rams in a knee! Corbin whips Cesaro corner to corner hard, and Cesaro falls to his knees from hitting buckles. Corbin stomps Cesaro down, throws hands, but the ref backs him off. Corbin argues with the ref, Sami gets a cheap shot in, then Jey tags in. Corbin drags Cesaro around, Jey stomps Cesaro, then Jey throws hands. Cesaro counter punches but Jey keeps him from the corner with more haymakers! Jey whips Cesaro corner to corner hard, chest first! Heyman again refuses to answer a question about “What if Jey wins the Elimination Chamber?”
Jey reels Cesaro in to LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Jey clamps on with a chinlock and thrashes around. Cesaro endures, fights up, but Jey knees low. Jey sucker punches Kevin, and the ref is busy with Kevin so that Jey and his team can mug Cesaro! Tag to Corbin, he throws hands on Cesaro, then whips him corner to corner. Corbin runs in but Cesaro dodges to SPRINGBOARD UPPERCUT! Both men are down and crawl for their corners, hot tags to Sami and Bryan! Bryan dodges Sami to dropkick Jey and then throw hands on Sami! Bryan whips but Sami reverses, only for Bryan to go up and over. Bryan dodges Sami to hit a leaping lariat!
Bryan fires up in a corner, runs corner to corner and dropkicks Sami! Then fires off YES Kicks! The ref counts, Bryan stops at 4, then hoists Sami up top. Bryan climbs up to SUPER STEINER! Cover, but Jey breaks it! Jey superkicks at Kevin but Kevin blocks to SUPERKICK him first! Kevin aims from the apron, CANNONBALL! Bryan YES Kicks away on Sami then- No, Sami ducks the buzzsaw to roll him up! TWO, into a HUGE BLUE THUNDER BOMB! Cover, but Cesaro breaks it! Corbin drags Cesaro up, throws him out, then storms out after him. Kevin comes around, Sami and Bryan stand up and Sami goes to the corner. Kevin SUPERKICKS Corbin off Cesaro while Sami climbs up.
Bryan intercepts Sami at the top, climbs up to join him, and SUPER BUTTERFLY SUPLEXES him! To an omoplata, to the YES LOCK!! Sami is caught, eh taps, Bryan’s team wins!!
Winners: Daniel Bryan, Cesaro & Kevin Owens, by submission
Edge is very impressed by all these superstars, but especially that right there. Corbin slides in behind Bryan, waits for him to turn around, and hits him with END OF DAYS! Kevin gives Corbin a STUNNER! Sami gives Kevin a HALF ‘N’ HALF! Cesaro POP-UP EUROUPPERS Sami! Jey SUPERKICKS Cesaro! But Edge SPEARS Jey!! The Ultimate Opportunist turns around, into a SPEAR from Roman!! Just when Edge thought he was sending a message to Roman, Roman responds in kind! Roman holds up his Universal Championship, has his stacked deck ensured he will still have it for WrestleMania?
My Thoughts:
A great go-home for SmackDown, and just great overall. I knew Apollo’s Heel turn would be through snapping, but wow, I didn’t see it going this way, and I mean that in a good way. That was very strong intensity from him, and having him try and injure Big E was next level. Bringing up his ancestry might even be a way to add to his character, borderline a gimmick, but an Apollo that is high on himself is definitely the way to go for his Heel run. I’m sure kayfabe Big E will come back in time for Fastlane for what will be called “one last match” with Apollo, but for that reason, Apollo might win and act like he’s never going to give Big E his rematch, only for Big E to force him into it.
Rollins’ promo being right as Big E exits was a good use of time and a good segue, given Rollins’ focus of supposed betrayal. He is definitely foreshadowing his feud with Cesaro, and that is all the more reason I want to see Cesaro make it to the match with Roman: Rollins can screw Cesaro over, feud takes us through to Fastlane. Another Heel turn I didn’t see coming was Otis’. At least, that has to be what it was, right? The Mysterios aren’t ever going Heel, but even the solidly Heel Ziggler & Roode were confused by what we saw. I do feel that since there isn’t some kind of break-up with Gable & Otis, having them be Heels could work out for them. Otis has size and strength, and we’ve seen him angry against Ziggler & Roode in the past, maybe that is all used while he’s Heel to rack up some wins.
We got a pretty good tag match out of Riott Squad VS Natalya & Tamina, but it ended up also only being Billie trying to stick it to the Squad. She kinda does, and that’s why Natty & Tamina win, but then Billie feels instant karma because Tamina & Natty don’t care about her. The developments through Ding Dong, Hello were all very interesting. Reggie stepping in on Sasha’s behalf, and how Mella gets mad at him later, are all signs that he is definitely ditching her. The Six Person Tag win also helps give us a kayfabe reason for adding the Women’s Tag Championships to the PPV to replace the Raw Women’s Championship match since Lacey Evans is actually pregnant.
They still could’ve had Asuka call for an Open Challenge, aka default to Charlotte, but I suppose this just gets something from the SmackDown side out of the way. I’m pretty sure Nia & Shayna win because they have matches with Naomi & Lana and now Dakota Kai & Raquel Gonzalez on their schedule, and as the strongest Heel team right now, Nia & Shayna are definitely facing the Face teams. And again, the best stuff was from the Universal title story. Edge turned the conversation on Roman, he got interactions with all the Elimination Chamber contenders, and even got to give a Spear and take a Spear.
The Six Man Tag was a great match, the interaction of those six was great, and with Roman standing tall even over Edge, it keeps the math muddied so it’s anyone’s game as far as the Chamber goes. Again, I’m really hoping it’s Cesaro that makes it to the end. His story with Rollins might screw him over, but winning a Chamber match and having a Universal Championship match would mean so much to his career and power rankings. And as I said before, even if Cesaro doesn’t make it to WrestleMania, he can definitely build up to be the star he’s always deserved to be by SummerSlam.
My Score: 8.7/10
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Coverage
Andrew’s IMPACT Sacrifice Results & Match Ratings: 3.24.2023
Well damn, 24 hours changes everything! Josh is injured and has to vacate the World title! Mickie is also injured but she’s making her announcement during the show. How does IMPACT salvage their two main title pictures at Sacrifice?
Well hot damn, a lot of news popped up in less than 24 hours. So Josh Alexander tore his triceps; so he has to vacate the World Title and he’s being replaced by Steve Maclin in the 6 man match. Mickie James apparently also has an injury, but they are going to turn it into a segment on the show instead of a straight up vacating.
Now from a story perspective this sucks since I loved the Maclin/Alexander segment last night. That’s just me being selfish since I wanted to see that build and Maclin get the big win he deserves. Now he’ll be facing Kushida for the vacated title at Rebellion, and even if Maclin wins it will feel a little flat. Here’s to hoping that when Josh returns from injury they can find a way to bridge the time lost and keep the story going eventually.
.@MeanGiaMiller caught up with @FrankieKazarian and #RichSwann to talk about @Walking_Weapon's unfortunate injury and @SteveMaclin replacing him as their partner TONIGHT at #Sacrifice! #CountdownToSacrifice pic.twitter.com/jdnqk6BLN9
— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) March 24, 2023
Ratings:
- Speedball Mike Bailey vs Jonathan Gresham: Bailey wins via Reverse Figure Four – *** 3/4
- Digital Media Championship: Joe Hendry (c) vs Brian Myers: Hendry retains via Standing Ovation – ***
- Gisele Shaw w/Jai Vidal & Savannah Evans vs Deonna Purrazzo: Deonna wins via Venus de Milo – *** 1/4
- Kenny King w/Eddie Edwards vs PCO: PCO wins via Straight Right Chair Punch – *** 1/4
- X Division Championship: Lince Dorado vs Trey Miguel (c): Trey retains via Cradle – *
- IMPACT Tag Team Titles: TMDK (Shane Haste & Bad Dude Tito) vs Bullet Club (Ace Austin & Chris Bey) (c): Bullet Club retains via ABC 1-2-Sweet – ****
- Busted Open Match: Bully Ray vs Tommy Dreamer: Bully wins – ** 1/2
- Time Machine (Kushida, Chris Sabin & Alex Shelley) vs Rich Swann, Frankie Kazarian & Steve Maclin: Kushida wins via Hoverboard Lock – ****
Results:
Speedball Mike Bailey vs Jonathan Gresham
With the injuries in the main event, I could definitely see one, or both of these guys; fast tracked into the title scene after Rebellion. And I don’t think anyone would really be mad at that.
A quick tit for tat start, no one really gets any advantage. Just a few quick counters and takeover attempts. They both pause to take in chants from the crowd and then lock up again. Collar and Elbow tie up, they don’t release and both roll one another under the rope and out of the ring. There is an early moment where while he’s against the ropes he pokes Speedball in the eye and then apologizes. So things go back to a technical face vs face, but it could be a precursor.
Technical catch wrestling continues. Wrestling one another down, trying to get positions for small submission picks or limb attacks, but nothing is sticking yet. Gresham does manage to an Indian Deathlock, and then a Reverse Figure Four that Gresham conveniently can’t untangle so the referee has to do it and Bailey is pissed. Gresham tries to explain it, but Bailey lights him up, Gresham falls out of the ring, Golden Triangle Moonsault and now the aggression is starting to pick up. Hamstring Kicks and Chops from Bailey, but Gresham baits the attack and trips up Bailey before attacking the left knee with a grin on his face. Bailey is grounded for a while and Gresham keeps trying to twist off his leg. Eventually some Up Kicks break the submission attempt but Gresham wrestles him down again into a Bow and Arrow Trailer Hitch kind of move. Since Bailey has Tanahashi next week, Gresham must be trying to make Bailey’s knees equal. Good Guy Gresham.
Bailey starts stringing some offense together, but a few Low Dropkicks ruins Bailey’s base and causes him to face plant and the offense is going nowhere. Gresham even goes for the pinfall by trying to hyper extend the leg he’s been working on. Strikes continue to trade, Gresham tries to shoot the half but Bailey kicks off, Hamstring Kick again, Gresham Kips Up but clutches the leg a little, a chance for Speedball but Gresham cradles him to the ground and locks in a Figure Four. Speedball eventually rolls to the apron, Gresham tries to continue the stretching but Bailey kicks him into the post, sweeps the leg and Moonsault Double Knees right on Gresham’s head; Bailey went full Billy Kidman with his offense.
Bailey and Gresham continue to jockey for position on the outside, it looks like it might be a double count out. Gresham gets in at 9, Bailey gets in right at the 10 and the referee allows the match to continue. Some quick offense, Tornado Kicks to the corner, Ultima Weapon misses, Gresham goes for the Figure Four again but Speedball reverses it and Gresham taps pretty quick.
Backstage segment with Brian Myers, Moose joins and says he’ll help him beat Hendry – but then Santino shows up! He tells Moose he’s dumb and just stooged himself out, so he’s banning him from ringside. Who would’ve thunk it, the comedy character brings the logic.
Digital Media Championship: Joe Hendry (c) vs Brian Myers
Myers powders after a few early bumps and then Hendry follows him. Hendry is definitely not fighting with “champion’s advantage”, as is the way for babyfaces. Myers tries to fight back on the floor but a Scoop Slam leaves Myers on the receiving end. Hendry has to roll in to reset the 10 count and Myers catches him.
A few quick attacks, Roster Cut attempt but Hendry gets the goozle on. Standing Ovation attempt but Myers slips it, Chop Block, and continues to hammer down on Hendry. Myers with a Falcon Arrow and a bunch of slightly arrogant offense until he goes for the Crossbody, gets caught again, Sack of Shit, and Hendry is back on the offensive. Pop Up Power – no, slips and a Running Spear from Myers for a 2 count. Myers hits the top rope but Hendry cuts him off, Myers pushes him off, launches and Hendry hits the RKO mid move! Throws Myers into the ropes, Standing Ovation, and Hendry retains!
So Mickie addresses her injury, it seems she broke a rib during the tag match. They are allowing Mickie to hold on to the title until Rebellion. Either she defends it in a 3 way versus Jordynne and the winner of the 4 Way at the Multiverse United show or Jordynne will face the winner of the 4 Way for the vacated title.
Gisele Shaw w/Jai Vidal & Savannah Evans vs Deonna Purrazzo
Deonna starts off angry, Gisele is getting rocked early, they go through a few rope running counter cradles and slides but its just early counter wrestling. Gisele manages to surprise Deonna going for an Armbar, but Deonna counters it, tries the Venus de Milo but Shaw powders. Deonna hits the Baseball Slide, starts beating on Gisele but she slides back in to distract the referee while Savannah clocks Deonna.
Triplicate European Uppercuts from Gisele keep her very comfortably in control. Another distraction to the ref and Savannah swings and connects with Deonna again. Deonna tries to fight from the corner, Gisele grabs Deonna’s feet drapes her across the ropes and drops both knees on Deonna. Gisele drives her knee into Deonna’s shoulder blades and goes for the Chin Lock. Deonna tries to power out, Gisele stifles it a little, but Deonna catches her with a Twisting Neckbreaker. Slow start to the strike exchange but it slowly picks up, Deonna with a beautiful spot of a no look Back Kick right to Gisele’s stomach, Running Knee Lift into the Russian Leg Sweep for 2. Deonna Pump Kick, Gisele Superkick, Deonna bounces off the ropes, Flatliner into Koji Clutch, but Gisele slides back a little to turn it into a pinfall to break the submission.
Both women have wrist control and just swing at each other. Deonna gets the best, one big swing but Gisele ducks it, catches Deonna in Shock and Awe (Backbreaker into Flatliner). Denouement attempt, Deonna grabs at the arm for the Fujiwara attempt but Gisele fights it off. Venus de Milo gets locked in and Deonna holds it a little longer to make a point.
Savannah attacks Deonna afterwards, but Tasha Steelz music hits. Tasha tries to play nice like she’s here to help Savannah, then cheap shots her, fights off Jai with a Tornado DDT kicking off of Savannah. Okurr on Jai and Tasha cleans house and babyfaces herself.
Kenny King w/Eddie Edwards vs PCO
Kenny comes out in an Honor No More shirt, which is a nice way to play into the story.
Eddie tries to get PCO’s attention and then Kenny attacks him right as the bell rings. PCO turns things around shortly, Eddie keeps trying to find angles to give Kenny ambush spots but PCO keeps fighting back. PCO stalks Eddie on the outside and Kenny hits a beautiful Tornillo, then a Scoop Slam as he mocks the whole Frankenstein gimmick. PCO rolls in and Kenny John Woo’s him into the corner and starts Bootwashing his face to talk smack. PCO fires, goozle and just throws Kenny out of the ring.
PCO kicks Kenny from getting back in the ring, looks to do his Senton but “short circuits”. So PCO does a Senton to the wrong side of the ring, crashing but popping right back up, and it apparently helped correct the issue. So Senton onto Kenny, throws him back in, Kenny tries the Eddy Gordo kick but PCO just barrels over him. PCO drapes Kenny in the corner, Codebreaker, into the back of the head Guillotine Leg Drop and now PCO pulls him to the apron.
Here we go, Deanimator attempt – but Eddie cuts him off, PCO kicks him back into the cameras, Kenny gets up and an Iconoclasm bouncing off the apron of the ring! Kenny throws him into the steps, rolls in, things he’s all but won…yet PCO beats the 10 count. “He’s Not Human” chant starts, Frog Splash from Kenny and PCO kicks out and fires at 2. Eddie throws a Kendo stick in the ring to distract the referee from Kenny using a chair. Kenny hits PCO once, PCO shakes it off and has a gameplan. So he actually helps keep the referee distracted to bait in Kenny for another chairshot attempt, but PCO just punches through the chair and knocks out Kenny.
Maclin, Kaz and Rich have a backstage segment. It perfectly shows the story beats of Maclin being annoyed that he put in all this prep and recon on Josh just for the opponent to be flipped. Typical tumultuous team members vibe, but Maclin gets his story beats across beautifully.
Can #RichSwann and @FrankieKazarian trust @SteveMaclin? #Sacrifice pic.twitter.com/TcEZ79IWkC
— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) March 25, 2023
X Division Championship: Lince Dorado vs Trey Miguel (c)
Okay Lince comes out in a bathrobe with some cringe ass “Lucha Lit” gimmick. I…hate it. This is probably the first time ever that I want Trey to win. Cause Dorado is cringe as hell. In a game of them both sucking, I’ll pick the style of trash that I can tolerate more…which is Trey.
Lucha counter wrestling with flips over trips and that stupid ass Mirrored Dropkick Spot. I also don’t love the Lince doing the cat mannerisms, but Puma King and a few others have done that…so I guess its more tolerated in Lucha. This whole match has been a little paint by numbers boring Lucha where the moves are done just to pop the crowd but not to actually accomplish anything.
Diving whatever moves they accomplish nothing. Its really hard for me to care about flippy trash matches. Lince hits 2 of the 3 step Moonsaults, but Trey of course no sells and dodges the third, Tiger Wall Kick, but Trey stumbles a little for the Enzuigiri, Trey also hits a sloppy Outside In Tiger Feint…its just sloppy spots for spots sake. I would probably be more entertained if I had Runescape fired up on a different tab. This is just a waste of space, much like both “wrestlers”.
Lince hits a Avalanche Frankensteiner, into a Shooting Star Press but Trey powders. Lince tries that bounce off the corner with his legs spot, but its sloppy. Another sloppy Tiger Feint from Trey, Slingshot Sunset Bomb for 2. These are just stupid moves for stupid sake. Lince tries to cut off Trey from a rope run with a Big Boot but mostly misses, makes the whole cut off exchange look stupid. Trey with a flash cradle during the cut offs for pinfall. Eww…this was garbage.
IMPACT Tag Team Titles: TMDK (Shane Haste & Bad Dude Tito) vs Bullet Club (Ace Austin & Chris Bey) (c)
It is nice to see a variation of TMDK back together. I also enjoyed Tito called Ace and Bey the “Mini Bullet Club” since they’re the juniors heavyweights.
Tito and Bey start off, Bey is trying to show off his speed, Tito gets across the power though. Tito kinda looks like a young Scott Steiner, and he literally tosses Bey back into his corner. Ace tags in, tries to do something but Tito is just too strong. Haste gets tagged in for some flashy yet effective offense. Ace finds something with the Triangle Victory Roll, Bey blind tag, cheap shot on Tito, Russian Leg Sweep + Low Sweep combination into some Click Click Boom. So Bullet Club is showing very nice Junior style synergy. Haste is very loud and animated, so he’s a great one to have eating the offense. Especially when they do their Back Rake goof spot.
Haste finally maneuvers things to tag Tito in, and Haste hands off Ace to Tito and Tito hits a Standing Blue Thunder Bomb. Tree of Woe, Bey tries to come in to break up the spot but the referee is distract, Tito steps up and stands on the groin, nice homage to Petey Williams. We are in Canada. Announce team almost sets up too much meme fodder, and then Rehwoldt steers into it. Rehwoldt said Bey was trying to rush into to get Tito off…paused for a second, which you know Hannifan gave him a look. So then they just pivot to everyone in TMDK being like Australian Sex Pistols. Very clever misdirection.
The match is fun, Bey gets the hot tag, clocks everyone, Haste tries a Lariat, Bey ducks that, flies onto Tito on the outside, comes back in, Tornado Fameasser for 2. Bullet Club goes for a Torture Rack/Triangle Kick combo, but Haste gets out of it. Tito gets tagged in and he start to look like Steve Williams with the Doctor Bomb for 2. Tito hits a big battering ram Dive on Bey to clear him out. Haste Falcon Arrow, Tito Froggy Splash, but Bey breaks it up.
Tito starts getting ping ponged between the two Juniors, Torture Rack/Triangle Kick combination, for 1-2-3? – no Haste comes in the referee says it was in time to stop the 3 count. Tito charges and a beautifully times Superkick + Spinning Back Heel Kick on Tito. He’s dazed, ABC 1-2-Sweet! Bullet Club retain!
Busted Open Match: Bully Ray vs Tommy Dreamer
This is a First Blood Match for anyone who doesn’t know, and Dreamer comes out with an ECW Championship Belt.
Chair duel to start things, ECW replica belt to the face of Bully Ray. Dreamer grabs a soda from a fan, Muta mist on Bully, tries to shove the can into his skull for early blood but no. Bully crotches Dreamer on the guardrail and then picks a fight with Darren McCarty who’s in the crowd. Darren McCarty was the enforcer for the Detroit Red Wings, so its very old school letting the ex sports guy play. Bully also has a great spot where he pulls out a step ladder, then asks the referee to hold it, does the Jimmy Snuka pose and goes for a Splash and misses. Bully gets to rile up AEW and WWF fans all in one spot. Good old school heat. Corny, but good.
Dreamer gets a bag of tacks, Bully fights off the Piledriver, gets the cheese grater but Dreamer hits the Bionic Elbow as a counter. Cheese grater with Dreamer, Dreamer charges, Bully pulls the referee in the corner, so ref bump. Dreamer eventually makes contact with the cheese grater, but there’s no referee and Bully has his back to the camera, so it slow rolls the result nicely. Good Hands hit the ring, on with a towel to see if he can blot the bleeding before the ref comes to.
Bully hits Tommy with pocket tacks instead of pocket sand. Tries to drive Dreamer’s face into the tacks and then Elbow it further down but Dreamer moves. Dreamer grabs the grater again, Bully tries to beg off, screams he’s sorry and now tries to guilt Tommy with his family is going to see this. Dreamer actually stops and then Bully hits him in the balls. Bully busts open Tommy with the tacks, the Good Hands slide in Tommy as the referee comes to, so the referee only sees Dreamer bleeding. Its a solid old school Hardcore match but it was definitely a little too plodding and corny.
Yuya Uemura tries to make the save, then Darren McCarty jumps the railing. This really has turned into ECW, Bully gets a mic, asks him if he really wants to fight and tells security to let him go. LOL – a literal Hockey Fight. McCarty gets the best of things, Good Hands mug him from behind. Triple Powerbomb McCarty through the table.
Scott D’Amore’s music hits! Scott starts stripping like he’s Ric Flair. Bully calls down Scott, but Scott has backup. He calls Rino, Heath, Gresham, Baily and Joe Hendry. Good Hands try to attack Scott…Scott stops him…and HITS A CANADIAN DESTROYER! Can this lead to a Lethal Lockdown match? Team D’Amore versus Team Bully? Give me that…give me some Lethal Lockdown now!
Time Machine (Kushida, Chris Sabin & Alex Shelley) vs Rich Swann, Frankie Kazarian & Steve Maclin
Shelley and Swann start off, and its just a bit of chain wrestling. They both have Hammerlocks, Headlocks, and just twist around to try and find an angle. Shelley speeds things up a little, Shoulder Tackle, rope run, Swann goes down and Shelley puts on the brakes to sink in a quick STF but Rich grabs the rope. Kaz and Sabin tag in and we get some Battle of the Futures nostalgia.
Back and forth, Up and Over, Sabin with the Arm Drag into the Top Wristlock. Kaz fights through, a little more quick counters and fun stalemate spots as they are all having fun with each other. Kushida tags in and points to Maclin. Kaz slaps Maclin’s chest and we all know Maclin isn’t a fun loving babyface like Kaz and Swann, so the tone should start to change. Kushida starts by starting Grounded ala Inoki vs Ali, then manages to trip up Maclin and keep the mat wrestling going, but Maclin finally gets back to hit feet and can finally use his size and power to his advantage. Shelley blind tag, Time Splitters PK to the Arm combo.
Shelley keeps on the arm that got kicks with the Arm Wringer and then a few quick shots to the damaged arm. Kaz makes the blind tag after Maclin uses the middle rope into Shelley’s throat. Kaz and Rich with a little Hip Toss tandem stuff for a near fall on Shelley. But the tone of Rich and Kaz is definitely much different. Shelley fights his way out of the enemy corner, Time Machine triple team, Single Leg Crab, Camel Clutch, Sliding Dropkick from Sabin onto Rich. Kaz is trying to police too much of Maclin’s motion, typical team that doesn’t get along stuff. Rich driven into Kaz in the corner, triple Dropkicks from all of Time Machine.
Kushida tags in, stares down Maclin and then Maclin picks up and throws Rich to Time Machine because you can tell he’s frustrated getting policed with all of his moves. MCMG hold Rich, Kushida hits the Baseball Slide on the restrained wrestler and Kushida does the little Liger spin around pose/taunt and stares down Maclin. Shelley starts with the joint manipulation, and Swann is just getting torn apart. Swann in the Tree of Woe, Sliding Dropkick to Swann’s face, and then the Triple Baseball Slide. Sabin tags in with the Octopus Hold on Rich which he rolls into a pinfall, but Rich kicks out. You hear Maclin say “All you have to do is tag me bitch” – which proves that Maclin is trying to be a team player in his own way.
Rich fights out of the triple team, and chooses to tag in Kaz. Kaz hot tag, exchanges with Sabin which turns into the Guillotine Leg Drop through the ropes, Kaz is taking out everyone right now. Two Springboard Leg Drops…and now a third as all of the Time Machine offense is stopped. Sabin blind tag though gives Time Machine some momentum. Rich tries to come in, gets rocked, Maclin charges, Sabin grabs him and Tornado DDT sends Maclin to powder. Missile Dropkick/Flatliner on Kaz for 2.
Cradle Shock counter, rolling tag to Rich. Avalanche Headscissors, Rich goes to the top rope, Maclin tags himself in, but Time Machine gets rolling. Dragon Screw from Kushida with the Mutoh pose afterwards. Maclin and Shelley are legal, and going back and forth. Double Arm Breaker from Shelley after Kaz tries to get involved. Maclin gets some offense back in, Caught in the Crosshairs form Maclin, Maclin tags in Kaz, Kaz tags Rich, tandem attacks, Cutter form Rich into a 450…1-2-Kushida Kicks out! Swann goes for Phoenix Splash but misses. Flying Armbar from Kushida, triple Submission spot, but Maclin gets out of his and breaks Kushida’s submission. Maclin stares down Time Machine, hits the ropes and gets eaten alive by tandem attacks.
Time Machine goes for a Double Shiranui Tower, but it gets broken up. Outatime lands on Kaz. Sliced Bread lands on Swann. Tanaka Punch blocked, Maclin eats Shell Shock, Sabin gives Kushida a rolling start to throw him onto Maclin like a Spider Monkey and sink in the Hoverboard Lock. Maclin taps relatively quick, which is strategic to not risk injury.
Overall Score: 7/10
Talk about a show that no one knew what the hell to expect! Josh vacating the belt means that things had to change with fairly short notice. Mickie’s implications of either a Triple threat or she’ll hand over the belt to the winner if she’s not cleared is something you don’t see too often. But when it comes down to the card, the show was relatively good. Trey & Lince was hot garbage, and Busted Open was what we all kind of expected. Was it a bit more entertaining with some of the ECW nods? Sure. But it was just a spectacle and honestly Scott D’Amore hitting the Canadian Destroyer made that all worth it.
OH CANADA! @ScottDAmore CANADIAN DESTROYERS @TheJasonHotch and Windsor EXPLODES! #Sacrifice pic.twitter.com/iqqpiH0tMZ
— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) March 25, 2023
The tag and six man matches were the best stuff on the card, and sets the stage decently well for storylines into Rebellion. I’m not joking though, if we don’t get Team D’Amore vs Team Bully in a Lethal Lockdown…the salt will pour. Don’t let the Canadian Destroyer spot be for naught! Oh – and put the damn belt on Maclin!
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Wrestling really does have more than one royal family.
While Cody Rhodes is back on SmackDown to take on Ludwig Kaiser, Dominik Mysterio plans on confronting in his entire family in Las Vegas! Will Rey finally snap on his son?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Cody Rhodes VS Ludwig Kaiser w/ Giovanni Vinci; Cody wins.
- Rey Mysterio VS LA Knight; Knight wins.
- WrestleMania Women’s Tag Team Showcase Qualifier: Lacey Evans & Xia Li VS Shotzi Blackheart & Natalya; Shotzi & Natalya win and advance to WrestleMania.
- “Butch” Pete Dunne w/ The Brawling Brutes VS GUNTER; Gunther wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Cody Rhodes VS Ludwig Kaiser w/ Giovanni Vinci!
The American Nightmare is back on SmackDown, looking to stay razor sharp for his match with the Tribal Chief. But will he get more than just a tune-up from the Impeccable German? Or will Kaiser keep the mat sacred?
The bell rings and the two circle. Fans rally up for “CODY! CODY!” Ludwig eggs Cody on, they tie up, and they’re in a deadlock. Cody powers Ludwig to a corner but Ludwig turns it around. Ludwig lets off, but throws a body shot! Ludwig whips, Cody reverses and reels Ludwig in to suplex! Fans fire up as Cody keeps Ludwig in the air, before the GOURD BUSTER! But wait, here comes Paul Heyman. Cody is distracted by the Wise Man, Ludwig waistlocks, but Cody trips Ludwig to then SHINING WIZARD! Ludwig bails out while Cody glances back at Heyman. Fans continue to rally for Cody while SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Cody staggers over to Ludwig. Ludwig UPPERCUTS then COMPLETE SHOTS! Cover, TWO! Ludwig scowls, and he rains down fists in a headlock! Fans boo but Ludwig lets off. Ludwig clamps onto Cody with a chinlock, then CLUBS him down. Fans boo as Ludwig goes outside to drag Cody to the corner, but Cody YANKS Ludwig into the post! Cody goes out to CHOP Ludwig, ROCKS him, and then CHOPS him against the announce desk! Cody rains down fists and fans fire up! Cody puts Ludwig back in the ring, runs and springboards, but Ludwig trips him up and YANKS him down!
Heyman is stoic as Ludwig sits Cody up to PENALTY KICK! Cover, TWO! Cody scowls but Ludwig looms over him. Ludwig pie faces Cody, drags him up but Cody ROCKS Ludwig and JABS and throws a body shot. Ludwig throat chops in return! Ludwig CHOKES Cody on the ropes, the ref counts and Ludwig lets off. Fans boo, but Vinci gets a cheap shot! Cover, TWO! Ludwig clamps back on with a chinlock. Cody endures, fans rally up, and Cody fights up to his feet. Ludwig throws Cody down by his hair! Fans boo more as Ludwig paces around and taunts Cody. Ludwig rains down more fists, then scrapes Cody’s face!
Ludwig runs to BASEMENT UPPERCUT! Cover, TWO! Heyman is still stoic as Cody drags himself to ropes. Ludwig kicks the ropes to jam Cody’s arm! Ludwig drags Cody up to UPPERCUT! Cody ROCKS Ludwig with forearm after forearm! Ludwig JAWBREAKERS! Ludwig throws body shots and stomps in the corner, whips corner to corner, then runs in, but Cody puts him on the apron! Cody ROCKS Ludwig, and BEAUTIFUL DISASTER KICKS Ludwig down! Fans fire up and Heyman is upset now. Ludwig staggers up into a kick, and Cody reels Ludwig in! Cody hooks the arms, but now SOLO SIKOA appears!
Fans boo as the Bloodline approaches, but Ludwig CHOP BLOCKS Cody’s leg! Solo and Heyman stay at the ramp as Ludwig goes out. Cody throws hands, whips, but Ludwig reverses and sends Cody crashing into steel steps! Fans boo but Cody drags himself up, and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again and Cody throws hands on Ludwig. Ludwig headlocks, Cody powers out and things speed up, but DOUBLE LARIATS take both men down! Solo & Heyman are now ringside as fans rally up. Vinci coaches Ludwig but Cody sits up first. They stand, Cody throws a body shot but Ludwig throws a haymaker. Cody throws a forearm, Ludwig gives it back, they go shot for shot, back and forth, faster and faster, and fans fire up! Ludwig kicks low, whips, but Cody reverses to then follow and CLOBBER Ludwig! Cody kicks, RHODES UPPERCUT! Cody then baits Ludwig, goes up and over in a corner, and POWERSLAMS! Cover, TWO!
Solo is stoic, Heyman smiles, but then Vinci throws in his track jacket. The ref gets that out of the way, but misses the HIGH LOW COMBO from Imperium! Cover, TWO!! Cody survives and Ludwig is surprised. Ludwig shouts “NEIN!” and runs in to UPPERCUT, GAMANGIRI and HALF HATCH SUPLEX! Ludwig goes up top, leaps, but into a dragon sleeper! But Ludwig drops to victory roll! TWO, and Cody dodges Ludwig to springboard, CODY CUTTER! Fans fire up as Cody stares down Heyman & Solo! Cody waits on Ludwig, reels him back in, CROSS RHODES!! Cover, Cody wins!
Winner: Cody Rhodes, by pinfall
The Impeccable German was less than perfect, and he loses to the American Nightmare! But Cody watches Solo get up on the apron and Heyman has the mic. Heyman has Solo stand down, and then tells Cody, “You’re owed an apology. And since I’m the Wise Man of the Bloodline, may I? I am going to be the one to deliver that apology to you.” The ring announcer did a lousy job. She must be from Vegas. Fans boo and Heyman acts surprised. But Heyman will do the honors. “Ladies and gentlemen! Your winner… and still challenger for the reigning! Defending! Undisputed! WWE Universal Heavyweight Champion, Roman Reigns… Cody! RRRRHODES!”
Fans are torn but Heyman says this is the very same Cody Rhodes that sees his Road to WrestleMania with a giant pothole in front of him that happens this Monday Night Raw, when Cody goes one versus one against… SOLO! And if, and isn’t that a big “if,” IF Cody survives Solo, then it’s not the Road to WrestleMania. All roads lead to Roman Reigns, who will be here live on SmackDown next Friday to see Cody one final time face to face. Heyman tosses the mic to Cody and he catches it. “Is that what we’re doing, Mr. Heyman? Are you moving the goal posts for me? Another thing you did, you interrupted them while they were singing the song.
“And now, you wanna move the goal posts and move ’em right here, huh? Am I expected to say ‘No?’ Oh, it’s six days out from the biggest match in the history of my family, I should probably say no, right? WELL, I probably shouldn’t have wrestled with half my body hanging off, and I still beat Seth Rollins! So when it comes to you,” he says as he points at Solo, “undefeated and as good as you are, like I said last week. You’re. Not. Ready!” Fans chant that, then Cody continues.
“And as for the champion, Roman Reigns. After Solo finds out that he’s not ready, at WrestleMania on April 2nd, your boy, Roman Reigns, the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion, will find out the same thing. He is not ready, either!” Cody throws the mic back and Heyman misses it! Will everything about this homestretch to Hollywood be a nightmare for The Bloodline?
BREAKING NEWS for WrestleMania!
The very first match of night one on Saturday, April 1st will be… AUSTIN THEORY VS JOHN CENA! The United States Championship will set the pace for the weekend, will The Now find that he’s not ready, either?
Charlotte Flair is here!
Vegas fires up as The Queen heads to the ring. The SmackDown Women’s Champion has her pyro then gets the mic to tell Las Vegas, “We are just eight days away from WrestleMania! Fourteen times. Fourteen time world champion. And I can tell you, that was not built on fear, insecurities or nepotism. The same three things have been used against me by everyone, and I mean everyone, since I started in this business.
“Fear. What is fear? Fear is a lack of understanding. It’s ignorance. This business wasn’t built on fear. This business was built on respect! Rhea Ripley, I don’t fear you. I respect you! The only thing that I fear is my own potential. I respected Nikki and Brie. I respect Sasha, Bayley, Becky, Trish, Ronda, Asuka, Natty! I respected all of them! Insecurities. Damn right I have insecurities! Are you really ‘whatting’ me? This is important to me so listen. Insecurities, damn right I have them. And I have built this house on every brick that all of you have thrown at me! For the last seven YEARS! Lastly, nepotism.” Fans “WOO~!”
“That’s right, Vegas. I love my dad. And I will never apologize for continuing the greatest legacy in sports entertainment! And whether you like it or don’t like it, you better learn to love it, because diamonds are forever, and so is Charlotte Flair. WOO~!” The Queen is fired up, but will she be able to hold her throne at WrestleMania?
Rey Mysterio VS LA Knight!
The King of Lucha Libre, the headliner of this year’s WWE Hall of Fame class, has been pushed and pushed and pushed by his punk of a son, and the Mega Star was one big mouth too far! Will Rey be able to shut up the obnoxious jerk that isn’t Dominik? Or will things only get worse for Rey on the Road to WrestleMania Weekend?
SmackDown returns and Knight makes his entrance. The bell rings and the two circle. Knight chases Rey but Rey dodges and fires off hands! Knight shoves Rey away, but Rey slides under and dropkicks Knight to a corner. Rey runs in but Knight fights off the monkey flip. But Rey avoids the elbow drop! Rey runs in, and now he MONKEY FLIPS! Knight staggers up,. Rey KICKS Knight to a corner, and then rains down fists! Fans count all the way to TEN, then Rey gives us some Latino Heat. Rey runs, but Knight FLAPJACKS him down! Knight stomps Rey, stomps him to ropes, but the ref counts.
Knight lets off, “YEAH!” Then he bumps Rey off a buckle. Knight throws hands, JABS Rey, then digs his boots in. The ref counts, Knight lets off at 4, and Knight brings Rey up. Knight shoves Rey into the corner, Rey bounces off buckles, and into the NECKBREAKER! Knight spells it out, “L! A! KNIGHT! YEAH!” Cover, ONE!! Knight is annoyed and he throws fists down. Knight keeps on Rey, throws hands, then he bumps Rey off buckles. Fans rally and duel, but Knight whips Rey to ropes. Rey ducks ‘n’ dodges then tilt-o-whirls to RANA! Knight flounders out of the ring and fans fire up!
Rey runs, WRECKS Knight with a dropkick, then he builds speed. Rey SLIDES to SPLASH! Fans fire up for that one, and Rey stalks Knight to CLUB him! Rey puts Knight in the ring, climbs up and shoulders in! Then he GAMANGIRIS Knight away, climbs the corner, but here comes Dom! Dom said he’d ruin the fun, and Knight trips Rey up! Rey tumbles to the mat, but Dom doesn’t care. Fans boo as Dom walks down the ramp while SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again and Knight stomps away on Rey again. Knight drags Rey up but Rey throws hands! Rey fires off but Knight knees low! Knight scoops, Rey slips off and rolls Knight up, to then dropkick! Fans fire up while Knight scrambles around. Knight goes after Rey, Rey slips under and runs, but into a BOOT! Cover, TWO! Dom paces at ringside, and Knight sits Rey up to KNEE him in the back! Knight drags Rey up, back suplexes high and hard, then dusts off his hands. “YEAH!” Knight grins as he stands over Rey, then he pulls on the mask. The ref reprimands, Knight whips Rey to ropes, but Rey ducks ‘n’ dodges!
Rey CROSSBODIES, but Knight catches him for a POWERSLAM! Dom smirks while Knight spells it out again. “L! A! KNIGHT! YEAH!” But Rey avoids the elbow drop! Rey and Knight slowly stand up, Rey goes to ropes and Knight storms over, but into an elbow! Rey springboards, wheelbarrows and BULLDOGS! Dom is annoyed but Rey goes to the apron. Rey climbs up, SEATED SENTONS! And Rey keeps moving, SPRINGBOARD CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Knight is still in this but Rey brings him up to whip him to ropes. Knight reverses, kicks low and back suplexes, but Rey lands on his feet! Tilt-o-whirl, but Knight blocks to a BACKPACK SLAM! Cover, TWO!
Knight grows frustrated but he drags Rey back up. Fans rally for “619! 619!” as Knight scoops, but Rey turns slam into DDT! Rey then dropkicks Knight onto the ropes! Fans fire up, Rey dials it up, 619 BLOCKED by Knight! Knight grins, lifts Rey up, but Rey RANAS free! Rey redials, but Dom trips him up!! Fans boo and Rey is furious! He can’t believe Dom is doing this now, but Knight rolls Rey up! KNIGHT WINS!!
Winner: LA Knight, by pinfall
Dom smiles because he just screwed his dad over. Dom gets the mic and tells, “Jefe… You gonna give me what I want? Huh? C’mon. C’mon Or are you gonna run away? Or are you gonna finally be a man and face me at WrestleMania?” Dom pushes Rey, and Rey brings down the straps. To wag his finger, “No.” Dom says, “That’s right. Walk away like you always do. Hey, mom. How does it feel to be married to such a pathetic loser? A coward who can’t even stand up to his own son?” Fans boo but then Dom points out the rest of the family. He asks if mom knew she married a deadbeat.
She did, because here’s why. She sat there every night while Rey abandoned Dom, sot hat makes her no better! His sister steps up now, and Dom asks Aalyah what she’s gonna do about it. She’s too stupid to understand this. Mom Angie snatches the mic from Dom but Dom snatches it back to tell her to shut up! Rey storms back over and fans fire up! Dom dares Rey to do something, and Rey DECKS Dom!! Dom is shocked but Vegas is thunderous! Rey tells Dom that Dom pushed him to do this. Rey doesn’t wanna do this but Dom gave him no choice! You do not disrespect your mother like that! That is Rey’s wife!
Dom wanted a fight at Mania? Then he’s on!! Fans are thunderous again as Rey says, “I’ll see you at WrestleMania, son.” Dom scurries away, having gotten what he wanted like the brat he is. But will Dom come to regret everything he’s done these past few months?
WrestleMania Women’s Tag Team Showcase Qualifier: Lacey Evans & Xia Li VS Shotzi Blackheart & Natalya!
The Model Soldier teams with The Predator to take on the Wild Child and the Queen of Harts! Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez are watching ringside, who will they see join them in this Fatal 4 Way tag team showcase?
The teams sort out, Shotzi and Lacey start. Fans rally as Shotzi and Lacey circle, then Shotzi gets around to a waistlock. Shotzi ripcords, wrenches and wristlocks but Lacey throws Shotzi by her hair! Cover, TWO! Lacey drags Shotzi up and fans rally as Lacey whips her to the corner. Lacey RAMS into Shotzi, tags Xia, and then mocks the fans. Xia stomps Shotzi, brings her up to CHOP, then taunts Natty. Xia runs in to KNEE and ELBOW Shotzi, then reels her in for an EXPLODER! Cover, TWO! Natty rallies the fans behind Shotzi but Lacey tells them to shut up. Xia bumps Shotzi off buckles and tags in Lacey.
Lacey mocks the fans, then runs to headstand and BRONCO BUSTER! Lacey drags Shotzi up, snapmares and then dribbles Shotzi’s face off the mat! Cover, TWO! Fans rally but Lacey drags Shotzi up. Shotzi throws hands, kicks but Lacey blocks to trip her up! Lacey then sucker punches Natty! Fans boo but Shotzi rolls Lacey up! TWO and Shotzi ENZIGURIS Lacey down! But Natty is still off the corner so Shotzi has to BOOT Lacey away! Shotzi runs but Lacey CLOBBERS her! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up but Lacey tags Xia. Lacey & Xia drag Shotzi up, double whip but Shotzi KICKS Xia and JAWBREAKERS Lacey!
Xia waistlocks Shotzi, Lacey storms up, but Shotzi slips free and the WOMAN’S RIGHT takes out Xia!! Lacey is furious, but Shotzi whips her out of the ring! Shotzi swings on Lacey, Lacey counter punches, but Natty is back! Natty BOOTS Lacey, then Shotzi DIVES to take Lacey down! Fans fire up as Shotzi hurries back in and tags Natty! HART ATTACK! And then the SHARPSHOOTER! Xia taps, Natty & Shotzi win!
Winners: Shotzi Blackheart & Natalya, by pinfall (advance to WrestleMania)
Two hearts and a lot of fire, these two make it through! But wait, here come Ronda & Shayna! Shayna says, “Look at all the history in the ring right now! I mean, each single one of those women has a reason to want to get revenge on us, right? Let’s look. Broken hand, broken nose, broken arm, broken spirit. What do you say we uh… Give them the opportunity tonight?” Fans fire up as the Baddest Women on the Planet step up, but then Ronda says, “Wait, Shay-Bayz. I’ve got a question for you. How many times have we sold out this exact arena?” A couple times. And what about this entire town? A couple more times.
And how much did they appreciate it? ZERO TIMES! These two have given Vegas more than it deserves, so never again! And certainly not tonight. Shayna agrees with that. But lucky for the others, or maybe unlucky, these two are here to let them know, they’re in the tag team showcase! WrestleMania may be taking place in Hollywood, but the stakes just got raised like here in Vegas! Who wins when the odds are not in their favor?
Drew McIntyre heads to the ring.
Vegas fires up as the Scottish Warrior, Celtic Warrior and Der Ring General are about to converge for a contract signing! The Triple Threat for the Intercontinental Championship isn’t until WrestleMania, but will things break down on SmackDown?
SmackDown returns and Adam Pearce is in the ring to welcome us to this contract signing. But before he can introduce McIntyre, Sheamus and the Brawling Brutes make their way out! “Las Vegas, what’s the crack?” Sheamus says everyone’s been asking why he’s so mad at McIntyre. Imagine this: imagine working 15 YEARS of your life to achieve a particular goal; now imagine telling your best friend about that goal, only for him to go behind your back to try and steal it away from you. Imagine that friend being someone you let sleep and live on your couch, that you brought to his first training session in this business!
McIntyre rolls his eyes as Sheamus has said a lot of this before. Sheamus says, “Now imagine getting the opportunity to smash that person’s face in on the Grandest Stage of Them All, because they’re nothing but a backstabbing-” McIntyre says, “Imagine shutting up for a second. Every week, you run your mouth, you try to give me this guilt trip, trying to make me feel bad. And if it’s not on SmackDown, it’s on social medial with your little gifs and memes you create, blow up my Twitter like a teenage girl. It’s embarrassing, mate!”
McIntyre says last week, they were in this ring, proving why they are the most physical superstars in the WWE! They beat the hell out of each other! And afterwards, they should’ve been in the bar, laughing about it. That’s what they did in the old times. But now, Sheamus is so sensitive, he has this temper, that Sheamus can’t separate personal and business. Sheamus says McIntyre made this personal! McIntyre has a lot he’d love to say but he’ll stick to facts. And the facts are: McIntyre has beaten Sheamus, and he KNOWS he can beat Gunther. And history has shown that Sheamus can’t. Fans fire up as the two stare down.
Pearce has both men stand down because in order to get to WrestleMania, he needs three signatures on the contract. So how about we get the first two taken care of now? McIntyre takes the pen, signs his part, and then hands things over to Sheamus. Sheamus takes another pen, he signs his part, and then McIntyre throws his pen to the crowd as a free souvenir. And here comes GUNTHER! Gunther storms right into the ring, he gets right in Pearce’s face, and he tells Pearce to justify this decision. Justify why Gunther is in a match where the other two can pin or submit the other and Gunther still loses his title. Justify it! JUSTIFY IT!!
Pearce has Gunther calm down now, and Gunther signs his part. Is Pearce happy now? Whatever he has to do to defend HIS title at WrestleMania will be justified. Gunther will beat McIntyre. He will beat Sheamus. And if he has to, he’ll beat up Ridge and- What is Dunne looking at him like that for? DUNNE JUMPS THE TABLE TO GET AT GUNTHER!! Fans go wild as Butch goes wild! Ridge drags Dunne away, Gunther TOSSES the table! Gunther gets in Pearce’s face and Gunther wants a match! Pearce says okay, just calm down! Is Der Ring General about to break the Bruiserweight?
“Butch” Pete Dunne w/ The Brawling Brutes VS GUNTER!
SmackDown returns, and Gunther has Dunne on the ropes. Dunne pulls on Gunther’s ears! Then CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS! Dunne runs, but into a BOOT! Gunther drags Dunne up, scoops and SLAMS him, then sits him up to PENALTY KICK! Dunne kicks back from below! Dunne forearms, CHOPS, SLAPS and then jumps on for a a DOUBLE WRISTLOCK! Gunther throws body shots and then shifts Dunne around into a BUTTERFLY SUPLEX! Fans fire up while Gunther paces around Dunne. Gunther kicks Dunne in the side, he taunts Sheamus, then he stomps Dunne down.
Gunther brings Dunne up but Dunne throws body shots! Dunne forearms, but Gunther CHOPS Dunne off his feet! Even McIntyre is feeling that one. Gunther drags Dunne up, and CHOPS him right back down! But Gunther holds onto the wrist and he brings Dunne up again. Gunther CHOPS Dunne inside-out! Gunther still holds the wrist and he gives toying kicks to Dunne while taunting Sheamus. Gunther ripcords, but Dunne uses that for a TRIANGLE HOLD! Gunther CHOPS Dunne down, into a BOSTON CRAB! Dunne endures, Sheamus and Ridge coach Dunne, and Dunne fights, only for Gunther to shift to an STF!
Dunne still endures, even as Gunther bends him back. Dunne pries free, wrenches the arm and bends the fingers! Gunther pulls hair, then CHOPS Dunne down! Gunther drags Dunne back up but Dunne ENZIGURIS! And ENZIGURIS again! Gunther wobbles, blocks the third enziguri and deadlift GERMAN SUPLEXES! Dunne goes to a corner, Gunther hauls him up onto the top rope to CHOP! Gunther climbs up and he STANDS on Dunne! Dunne endures and the ref counts, Gunther lets off and Dunne tumbles to the floor! Sheamus checks on Dunne, Gunther stands tall, and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again and Gunther has Dunne on the ropes. Gunther taunts Sheamus, but Dunne catches his Beats of the Bodhrain! Fans fire up as Dunne bends the fingers, and SNAPS them!! Gunther staggers away, Dunne runs in to fire forearms! GAMANGIRI! Gunther staggers, Dunne goes up and fans chant for the “BRUISERWEIGHT! BRUISERWEIGHT!” as Dunne DOUBLE STOMPS the arm! Dunne waistlocks, but Gunther switches and puts on a SLEEPER! Dunne drops down, but powers up and he pries at the hold! Gunther holds on tight, Dunne reaches for ropes, and fans rally up, ROPEBREAK!
Gunther SLAPS the arms down, GERMAN SUPLEXEs, but Dunne lands on his feet! BUZZSAW! Gunther bails out and McIntyre smirks. Dunne goes to the apron but Gunther avoids the moonsault! Gunther CHOPS Dunne, and Dunne tumbles onto the desk! Gunther turns around to see Sheamus and McIntyre, but Dunne runs in! Gunther sends him into McIntyre! Gunther BOOTS Dunne into the ring! But Dunne STOMPS the hands and BUZZSAWS Gunther! Fans fire up, but McIntyre is on the apron! Sheamus drags McIntyre down! GLASGOW KISS from McIntyre! Ridge goes after McIntyre but McIntyre POSTS him!
Sheamus KNEES McIntyre down! Dunne runs in at Gunther, into a LARIAT!! Gunther drags Dunne up, scoops for the LAST SYMPHONY!! Cover, Gunther wins!!
Winner: Gunther, by pinfall
Der Ring General used his enemies against each other, but The Fella stands back up. They both look at the WrestleMania sign, but Sheamus gets out of the way! CLAYMORE hits Gunther!! Fans fire up as Sheamus and McIntyre stare down now, will either of these men come away the NEW Intercontinental Champion in Hollywood? Or will Gunther use them against each other then like he did tonight?
The Street Profits are fired up backstage.
Montez Ford says that Intercontinental Championship Triple Threat is bound to be a banger. But he says there’s one thing bigger than that. Angelo Dawkins asks what, and Ford says THEIR tag team showcase. Alpha Academy, Viking Raiders, Braun Strowman & Ricochet, but wait. What do they have in common? Ford motions to the top of the head. Oh, right. They’re “smooth operators~.” But then Braun & Ricochet walk in. Real funny, guys. Y’all got jokes, huh? They got a problem with bald men? They don’t have a lot of room to talk, Dawkins is thinning up top. Whoa, fam, c’mon. Just jokes! Just playing. Well no one’s laughing.
Dawkins is just saying, Braun & Ricochet aren’t much of a tag team. Oh, well, we’ll see who’s playing when Ricochet & Braun show up and the other three teams fool around and find out. They want ALL that smoke. Well, okay, okay. Everyone is fired up for WrestleMania, but who wins the tag team showcase at the Showcase of the Immortals?
It’s the SmackDown return of the Kevin Owens Show!
And as such, Kevin Owens himself is headed to the ring. His guest will be Sami Zayn, but what will the Prizefighter and Great Liberator have to say about their coming Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship match? We’ll see, after the break.
SmackDown returns one more time and Kevin has his set and his mic. He thanks the ring announcer for the introduction, and then welcomes us back to the KO Show. Now please welcome his guest, tag team partner, friend and brother, the one and only Sami Zayn! Sami makes his entrance and the fans fire up again. Sami gets a mic and Kevin says, “Yeah, so I did it right? The way you wanted. It worked out?” Sami asks what Kevin means. Well, he brought Sami out with the big introduction like he wanted. It was good, right? Sami says he didn’t want a big introduction, this is Kevin’s show, and Sami’s the guest.
Yeah, but earlier, Kevin suggested they come out as co-hosts but Sami said they should make separate entrances so the fans can hear both of their songs and cheer for both of them. Which really means Sami wanted his own pop. Sami says he did not, but Kevin says it’s fine, the fans love him! Kevin gets it. Fans do cheer for “SAMI! SAMI!” Kevin sits, Sami asks if they need to spill more backstage secrets, or can they just get to business? Yeah, of course. Sami says more than anyone, he’s been going non-stop about taking down Roman, the Usos, the Bloodline. And even Sami has lost sight of the fact that, does Kevin realize what they’re on the verge of doing?
“After all these years, from where we started, from nothing, staring together in Montreal all those years ago, we are on the verge of winning the WWE Undisputed Tag Team Championships! We are on the verge of doing that together, at WrestleMania! And not just any WrestleMania. This year, I don’t know what it is, but WrestleMania feels different this year.” Kevin says that’s right. And it isn’t lost on him. He knows what they can accomplish. But Sami is right, WrestleMania does feel different this year. Which is why Kevin brought Sami out here. Kevin has something for Sami.
Now, remember a few months ago, after Roman gave Sami that Honorary Uce shirt, that Kevin said Sami needed a new one. Kevin has one, it’s a KO-Mania Goes Hollywood shirt. That’s great! Well yes, but this is the back of it. Kevin does KO-Mania every year. But this year is different. This year isn’t about KO-Mania. “This year, there is only one person who took WWE by storm, who caught fire like no one else. There’s only one person that people can look at and say, ‘That guy has been the MVP of the WWE for the last 12 months,’ and that person is you,” Sami. Fans chant “MVP! MVP!” and Sami is rather touched.
Kevin says this year, it isn’t KO-Mania. It’s about the other side of the shirt. Kevin hands it over, Sami turns it around, and he sees… WrestleZAYNIA!! Sami’s all fired up now! Kevin shows that he’s been wearing one the whole time! Sami loves it! He throws off his shirt to put on the new shirt! Sami wants a hug but Kevin says no, one hug a year. Aw what the heck? THEY HUG! But then THE USOS attack!! They blindside KO & Sami from the crowd side, and then Jimmy rains down fists on Kevin while Jey rains down fists on Sami! Fans boo while the Usos clear the ring of the chairs. DOUBLE SUPERKICKS for Kevin!
Jey drags Sami up, whips him to ropes, and the Usos hit ONE AND DONE!! The fans boo more but Kevin gets up with a steel chair! The Usos run for it, telling KO & Sami that they’re going down! Kevin beats an armchair with the steel chair, but Sami tells the Usos that they’re not getting away with this one. Will Jimmy & Jey ruin the first ever WrestleZaynia? Or will KO & Sami be the ones to finally stop the ones?
My Thoughts:
A great episode for SmackDown here, especially with the story developments. For one, great closing moment we just saw with a great KO Show. I love that we got a positive swerve where Kevin gave Sami a shirt that had a WrestleZaynia logo on it. But I should’ve figured the Bloodline would do something, and the Usos technically stand tall here. That math would suggest the Usos are losing at WrestleMania, and we finally get so much in that moment, from vindication for Sami to the WWE Grand Slam for Kevin. We also got a really good match out of Cody VS Ludwig that Cody of course wins, and a really good promo segment right after for Cody and Heyman. The Bloodline is definitely desperate to hold onto everything, but that could be what brings them down.
Fairly big news with Theory VS Cena opening WrestleMania Night One. I’ve said before that it just feels like Theory is gonna win, since Cena doesn’t need the US title, and isn’t gonna be sticking around long enough to do anything with the US title. So if Theory wins the first match of the weekend, I could see him boasting, bragging and partying the entire weekend until he is just insufferable and annoys someone into challenging him for that title on the Raw After Mania. And then a pretty good promo from Charlotte, and I did like her calling out the “WHAT” chants here. Stone Cold Steve Austin is timeless, but lemming fans throwing out “WHAT” just to throw out ‘WHAT” are what? Stupid, that’s what. A) Show respect and pay attention. B) Come up with something of your own.
Really good match from Rey VS Knight, but of course Dom distracts to cost Rey. But biggest of all from that segment, the moment fans have wanted for the last few weeks now: REY DECKS DOM! And now we’ll get Rey VS Dom, and Dom sold all the emotion after that perfectly. He was upset, but there was also the fear and realization that comes with seeing something he thought would never happen actually happening. His dad is gonna whoop him, because Dom will only have Priest by his side while Finn prepares for Edge and Rhea prepares for Charlotte. And Legado can make a heroic move by countering Priest so that Rey VS Dom has a fair finish.
Good promo from Profits, Braun & Ricochet to put some tension between those teams going into the men’s Fatal 4. Good tag match qualifier for the women’s Fatal 4, and it was good weaving of stories that Shotzi & Natty win. Shayna & Ronda get that “first round bye” right into the match, but it does work because all four Faces want payback on them. It might not even matter who the fourth team is (though I’m sure it’ll be a team from Raw), Ronda & Shayna are probably gonna tear into them all to win and essentially be #1 contenders to the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships.
And there was just so much great stuff in the Intercontinental Championship contract signing. Sheamus brought back the same stuff he said when he and McIntyre had their 1v1 feud last year but that makes sense, it is how people can be when they argue with friends and family. I feel like McIntyre was tempted to Steiner Math because this is a Triple Threat, and he knows he can beat Sheamus. Gunther was also great, and I love that “Butch” Dunne went right after Gunther over their NXT UK past. Gunther VS Dunne was great stuff to have just for the hell of it, but of course there was the usual misunderstanding shenanigans that helped Gunther win.
If Gunther somehow retains at Mania, can we have HHH get Trent Seven back in WWE so we can have British Strong Style VS Imperium for the Summer? There were fans in Vegas who remembered Dunne for being Dunne and not for being a sidekick, and all fans deserve to see that Dunne alongside Tyler Bate and Trent Seven.
My Score: 8.8/10
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