Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (5/7/21)

Time to layeth the SmackDown!

Published

3 years ago

May 7, 2021

Steven Mitchell

Throwback Week at Fox means SmackDown is going old school!

It’s a Throwback SmackDown, and Cesaro won’t be denied~! Will the Swiss Cyborg swing Seth Rollins then make Roman Reigns acknowledge him?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Cesaro VS Seth Rollins; Cesaro wins and will challenge Roman Reigns for the Universal Championship at WrestleMania Backlash.
Ruby Riott w/ Liv Morgan VS Carmella; Carmella wins.
Rey Mysterio w/ Dominik Mysterio VS Dolph Ziggler w/ Robert Roode; changed to…
Dominik Mysterio w/ Rey Mysterio VS Dolph Ziggler w/ Robert Roode; Dominik wins.
Reginald w/ Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler VS Tamina w/ Natalya; Tamina wins, by disqualification.
10 Man Tag: Big E, Kevin Owens, Shinsuke Nakamura & The Street Profits VS Sami Zayn, King Corbin, The Alpha Academy & Apollo Crews w/ Commander Azeez; Team Apollo wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

“The Premier Show. The Rock’s Show, the People’s Show.”

This is #ThrowBackSmackDown! The fist is back, as just CG. But we go all the way back to August 26, 1999 for SmackDown’s first ever main event: The Rock VS Triple H, Shawn Michaels as special guest referee that screwed The Rock over! What a start for a series that has continued for 1133 consecutive weeks!

Roman Reigns heads to the ring!

The original episode closed with a champion, this week opens with a champion! Paul Heyman holds onto the Universal Championship for Roman as they and Jey Uso walk out. And after they finally get into the ring, Heyman fetches a mic to say, “Ladies and gentlemen, your Tribal Chief has asked me to eulogize the career of his victim, Daniel Bryan. And we shall do so with a 10 bell salute.” Heyman doesn’t need the timekeeper’s help, either, because they can do it themselves. Heyman himself says, “DING!” ten times and it amuses Roman. Heyman then hands the mic to Roman and Roman takes a moment to hear the fans booing from their ThunderDome screens.

“Unlike Daniel Bryan, I’m a man of my word. I did what I said I was gonna do: I put everything on my back and I carried it.” And for that, you should acknowledge Roman, thank him and celebrate him. He always gives us what we want. He gave Fox what they wanted, SmackDown what they wanted, and Daniel Bryan what he wanted. Bryan didn’t want to be here anymore, so Roman smashed him, pinned him and got rid of him! If Bryan wanted to be here, it was simple: ACKNOWLEDGE Roman. Bryan couldn’t, so he’s gone. And with him gone, he’s been replaced with someone who most certainly will acknowledge Roman. Roman looks to the ramp, and here comes Jimmy Uso!

Jimmy is back and Jey is happiest of all to have his twin brother back! Jimmy gets in the ring, hugs his brother, and fans are torn. Jimmy looks to Roman, they shake hands and hug it out, and Jimmy even shakes Heyman’s hand. The Bloodline is stronger than ever, but here comes Cesaro! “Hold on, hold on. Did I just hear you right? Did you just say that you replaced Daniel Bryan?” Cesaro hates to break it to them but he speaks for everyone that you cannot and can NEVER replace Bryan! No offense, Uso. But Cesaro has no time for this tonight. he has Seth Rollins to focus on, and that’s- Rollins attacks now! They brawl down the ramp, Cesaro EuroUppers but Rollins clubs back!

Referees rush in, and officials, and… is that Teddy Long?! Now THIS is a throwback! Teddy tells everyone to hold on, and says with the power that has been granted to him by the WWE’s Adam Pearce, Teddy proclaims that if Cesaro beats Rollins tonight, he WILL get a Universal Championship match against Roman Reigns at #WrestleManiaBacklash! HOLLA HOLLA! Rollins is furious, Roman is shocked, but Roman attacks Cesaro! Rollins throws Cesaro into steel steps! Rollins wants the “tough guy” to do something, and then he gets Cesaro up to put him in the ring. Rollins throws hands, stomps away, but the refs try to stop him! The stakes have been raised, and we’ll see how it goes, after the break!

Cesaro VS Seth Rollins!

SmackDown returns and the Swiss Cyborg is so close to a title opportunity! But can he punch his golden ticket to “WrestleMania Backlash” in this WrestleMania rematch?

The bell rings, the Usos are ringside watching as Rollins fires off on Cesaro! The ref backs him off, but Rollins comes right back to stomp Cesaro down! Rollins lets off again to run and SLINGBLADE! Cover, TWO! Rollins goes outside to aim from the apron, and he climbs up to leap, FLYING KNEE! Cover, TWO! Rollins is frustrated but Cesaro crawls to ropes. Rollins drags Cesaro up to throw him outside, and then follows out. The Usos say they’re just watching, and Rollins RAMS Cesaro into the apron, then the barriers, repeat! Rollins puts Cesaro in, covers, TWO! Roman is watching from his private suite, Heyman by his side, as Rollins seethes.

Rollins stalks Cesaro, the Usos cheer him on, and Rollins gets Cesaro up for forearms. Cesaro hits back with EuroUppers then body shots! Rollins knees low, runs, Cesaro trophy lifts! Rollins slips out and kicks a bad leg! Rollins SMACKS Cesaro off the mat, covers, TWO! Rollins fumes while Cesaro shakes out the cobwebs. Rollins gets Cesaro up, underhooks and squeezes tight on a facelock. Cesaro resists as Rollins goes for the double underhook, but Rollins shifts to a suplex. Cesaro fights that off to suplex Rollins up instead! Rollins fights but Cesaro holds on to SLAM Rollins down! Cesaro starts to fire up and he fires off EuroUppers!

Cesaro whips Rollins to a corner, runs in and uppercuts! Another whip, another uppercut! Cesaro keeps moving, DISCUS! Cover, TWO! Rollins survives and gets to ropes but Cesaro follows behind. Cesaro calls for it, and trips Rollins up, but Rollins twists! Cesaro sits on the body scissors, TWO! Cesaro gets the Gotch hold but Rollins back drops! Cesaro sunset flips, TWO! Cesaro gets the legs, Rollins gets to ropes! Cesaro YANKS Rollins up, Rollins back drops Cesaro to the apron but Cesaro DECKS him! Cesaro climbs, Jey distracts! Rollins springs right up, SUPERPLEX! Roll through, to the FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO! Cesaro survives and the fans rally up!

Rollins looks around, the Usos are pacing, and Cesaro gets to a corner, as SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns again Cesaro wants the Sharpshooter! Rollins resists so Cesaro DOUBLE STOMPS! Cover, TWO and Rollins has a cover! TWO, and Cesaro gets the SHARPSHOOTER! Rollins endures, flails, reaches, claws his way over, but Cesaro reaches back to get the arm! Crossface! Rollins rolls, turns and DREAM SMASHER ELBOWS! Cesaro wobbles, Rollins runs, but Cesaro ducks the stomp, to get the BOOMERANG! Cover, TWO! Rollins is frustrated but he aims from a corner. Rollins runs but Cesaro scoops him! Rollins fights but he still gets TOSSED to the top buckle! Cesaro climbs up, gut wrenches but Rollins slips through to BUCKLE BOMB Cesaro! Cesaro comes back to LARIAT?!

Both men are down, fans are fired up and the Usos are pacing again. Cesaro rises, Rollins JABS but Cesaro JABS back! Rollins throws a haymaker, Cesaro throws body shots! Cesaro fires off EuroUpper after EuroUpper! Rollins baits Cesaro in to monkey flip him OUT of the ring! The Usos creep over, Jimmy distracts the ref but Rollins tells Jey no. “I’m not Roman, I don’t need your help!” Rollins wants to do this himself, surprisingly, and then he shoves Jey down! Jimmy asks Rollins what the heck, but then Cesaro distracts the ref, Jimmy SUPERKICKS Rollins!! Cesaro PLANCHAS Jimmy! Cesaro gets Rollins up and in, spins around and Gotch hold, NEUTRALIZER!! Cover, Cesaro wins!!

Winner: Cesaro, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contender to the WWE Universal Championship)

The Usos tried to help, but they ended up helping the Swiss Cyborg! Will Roman have something to say to Jimmy & Jey about this?

Rollins talks with Roman backstage.

These two have been through a lot together so Rollins didn’t want to have to come in here and talk to Roman like this, “but that son of a bitch, Jimmy” cost Rollins the match! And Rollins wants to hear at Roman if he should be pissed at Jimmy, or at Roman. Roman gets where Rollins is coming from, but he wants Rollins to understand where Roman’s coming from. Yes, Jimmy screwed Rollins over. But Rollins losing screws Roman over, and now Roman has to deal with Rollins’ loose ends in Cesaro. Roman will handle Cesaro because that’s what he does. But Rollins needs to let Roman handle his family. Fine. They’re cool, Roman can handle Jimmy. And if he doesn’t, Rollins will.

Another classic SmackDown moment: December 13, 2001!

Booker T was at a supermarket when STONE COLD attacked him in the produce section! They brawled all over, made a mess, and Stone Cold Steve Austin got a “price check on a jackass.”

Teddy Long talks with Sonya Deville backstage.

The former SmackDown General Manager thanks Sonya for having him here tonight. And he loved that crooked stipulation, that was genius! Sonya says that when she heard Adam Pearce wasn’t going to be here, she feared running the show alone. But then hearing she’d be working with a WWE Hall of Famer, well she’s got his back. Sami Zayn comes in and says this is perfect! It is refreshing to see someone from “outside the establishment” working here again. Now, Teddy’s been gone a long time so he probably isn’t up to speed, but there is a massive conspiracy against Sami. He has a whole documentary, but he knows Teddy isn’t in on it so maybe Teddy can give him the match he needs for his Intercontinental Championship.

Teddy has a better one! Sami goes 1v1 with The Undertaker! That’s not better, Taker retired. Right, sorry. Forget that one. Then it will be a tag team match with Apollo Crews! Well no Sami doesn’t want that, because Apollo is the champion and his commander, Azeez, hurt his throat. Well he’s gonna need all the help he can get because their opponents are Kevin Owens and Big E, the Street Profits and Shinsuke Nakamura! That’s 5v2! Nope, 10 Man! Well who else does Sami have? The Alpha Academy, Otis and Chad Gable! Oh, and King Booker! Um no, King Corbin! That’s what Teddy said.

Now Teddy also knows Sami has cool dance moves, but try The Teddy out! Rock it with your hands now! Sami storms off, will he and the mish-mash he’s being thrown into succeed at all tonight?

The Usos and Roman talk backstage.

Roman says Jimmy is here for one hour, as a favor to him, with the spotlight and everything, and what happens? Jimmy screws up! He had time to get this right, Roman changed the whole game for Jimmy, and he misses. Now what does Roman do? Clean up the mess, treat Jimmy like a baby. They had a good thing going but Jimmy is making mistakes. Does Jimmy understand? Jimmy says Roman isn’t gonna talk to him like he does Jey. Second, Jimmy ain’t nobody’s bitch. Jimmy heads out, will Jey be the one to get him to fall in line?

Ruby Riott w/ Liv Morgan VS Carmella!

The Tag Team Turmoil didn’t work out for these three but there’s always the SmackDown Women’s Championship! With Bianca Belair and Bayley battling at Backlash, who will be right behind them?

The bell rings, Mell and Ruby tie up, Mella pulls hair but Ruby turns things around to put Mella in a corner. Ruby lets off but Mella shoves her! Mella dodges, does a moonwalk, but Ruby headlocks. Mella powers out but Ruby runs her over! Things speed up, Ruby mule kicks and suplexes but Mella slips out to throw Ruby by her hair! Mella drags Ruby up, talks trash to Liv and throws body shots! Mella CLUBS Ruby down, drags her up and whips her at a corner. Ruby stops herself, Mella runs in, but into DEADLY NIGHTSHADE! Ruby fires off forearms on Mella, cranks the arm, then reels Mella in for an STO! Cover, TWO!

Ruby drags Mella to a drop zone, goes up top, but Mella KICKS a hand! Mella tucks Ruby in, CHEEKY NANDOS! Cover, with the ropes! Liv points it out, the ref stops, and Mella BOOTS Liv down! Ruby rolls Mella, TWO! Mella ghost pins, TOW! Ruby jackknifes, TWO! Mella has the CODE OF SILENCE!! Ruby taps, Mella wins!

Winner: Carmella, by submission

Mella is Money and she is UNTOUCHABLE! But will she be seen as #1 contender after Bianca and Bayley run it back?

SmackDown shares another classic moment!

It was July 4th, 2002, and the future Rated R Superstar teamed with the Immortal Hulk Hogan! They became WWF Tag Team Champions that night, and that was the beginning of Edge’s legacy!

And then another moment on June 12, 2003! The Next Big Thing, Brock Lesnar was facing THE Big Show, had him on the top rope, and had the most infamous SUPERPLEX ever! It broke the ring!!

Bayley is here!

The longest reigning SmackDown Women’s Champion in history says it wouldn’t be a proper throwback without her! Bayley goes to the ring, and will celebrate the women’s champions of WWE, after the break!

SmackDown returns and Bayley has a mic to say, “To be in a WWE ring, you have to be a superstar. Not that I expect you sheep to understand that, but just because you’re a superstar, that doesn’t mean that it makes you a great champion.” Bayley knows what she’s talking about as the longest reigning SmackDown Women’s Champion at 380 days! But don’t worry, she isn’t here to talk about herself. She’s here to pay tribute to fellow women’s champions. The ones that led us with smiles on our faces when they won, the ones that put their bodies on the line for entertaining us.

First, we have Alundra Blayze, who isn’t as good as Bayley but did hold the WWF Women’s Championship for three YEARS. Then, Jacqueline, the first ever African American WWE Cruiserweight Champion and only woman to hold that, on top of two women’s championship reigns. Not as great as Bayley’s, she had 380 consecutive days. But then there’s Bayley’s childhood heroes, Lita and Trish Stratus! And don’t forget the classic, Ivory! The Glamazon, Beth Phoenix! And the latest Hall of Fame inductee, Molly Holly! Last, and certainly not least, our newest champion, Bianca Belair! Look at that smile! So giddy and happy, full of potential, and so, so naïve.

Bayley says Bianca is so blind to the world around her! Bianca has no idea what’s coming,. If she’s not careful, she’ll end up like all the rest: “NOT on Bayley’s Level!” Bayley is just looking out for Bianca. But Bayley tells us what she sees when she looks into Bianca’s eyes: insecurity! Bayley won’t just be the first challenger, she’ll be the LAST challenger! At Backlash, Bayley beats Bianca and finally shows us that she was right all along! But speaking of, Bianca is here! The newEST SmackDown Women’s Champion joins Bayley and gets herself a mic, and says Bayley just can’t let her be, can she? Like it or not, Bianca is living her best life, and is only going to make it better at Backlash.

And insecure? Girl, uh-uh. But to keep it 100, Bianca’s confidence is what bothers Bayley and empowers Bianca’s fans. So thanks for the “concern” but maybe Bayley should worry about herself. Because Bianca is on her way to becoming the new longest reigning women’s champion! And if at Backlash, Bianca is doing anything other than winning- Bayley busts up laughing! Bayley’s been doing this lately, and then she goes for a takedown! Bianca throws her away and then dares her to come back! Bianca RAMS into Bayley in the corner and stomps her down! Bianca TOSSES Bayley across the way, finally takes the belt off, and then dropkicks Bayley down, to kip right back up!

Bianca takes off the earrings but Bayley kicks low, and pulls on the other one!! Bayley throws Bianca into buckles by her ear! Bayley drags Bianca back up, pulls on the earring, and shouts, “Listening now?!” Bayley stands on Bianca’s ponytail, then stomps Bianca’s arms! Bayley reels Bianca in for the ROSE PLANTER! Bayley had her laugh and had her way, but will Bianca have the last laugh after Backlash?

Jey finds Jimmy backstage.

Did Jimmy mean all that? About Roman talking down on Jey and Jey being Roman’s bitch? Bro, that’s exactly what’s going on here! What happened, Jey? The Usos are the best tag team here, and it was just about them! But Roman’s the family! Roman benefits the family! No, whatever the family does benefits Roman! Jimmy being gone all year, he saw Jey fighting all of Roman’s battles for him! Jey’s the reason Roman is champion! But Roman IS the champion. They’re stronger together! Well check this, Uce. Roman is Head of the Table, but he takes care of himself. If Jey went to Roman right now, and if he asked if Roman needed Jey, Roman would say NO! Jimmy needs Jey! And Jey needs Jimmy.

If they want to talk family, picture this: Roman Reigns as Universal Champion. Jimmy & Main Event Jey, tag team champions! THAT is representing the family, Uce. Who will Jey listen to? The brother on his right shoulder? Or the Tribal Chief on his left?

Another classic moment: June 27, 2002.

Kurt Angle issued an open challenge, and was met by a newcomer. Who was this? JOHN CENA! And what is the one quality that he possesses that allows him to be in the WWE? RUTHLESS AGGRESSION!! Cena impressed a lot of people, but especially WWE Champion, The Undertaker!

Rey Mysterio w/ Dominik Mysterio VS Dolph Ziggler w/ Robert Roode!

The Father and Son of Lucha are getting their chance at history at Backlash as they challenge the Dirty Dawgs for the SmackDown Tag Team Championships! But will the Show-Off shutdown the Mysterios’ momentum the same day that news was announced?

SmackDown returns as the tag champs make their entrance. Ziggler has a mic to speak, and he says “This is Throwback SmackDown, baby!” No two throwbacks better than the Dawgs! But they could be big in any era. But Ziggler says he and Rey could go toe to toe all night long. Dom doesn’t belong. At least each of the Kardashians had something. Dom is a legacy but he doesn’t belong in the ring, the company or the industry. He’s just Rey’s little kid. So get out of Ziggler’s ring sot he men can handle business. Aw, is Dommy gonna cry? Just beat it, punk! Dom says he’ll handle this? Dom wants to swap in for Rey?! Well okay then!

Dominik Mysterio w/ Rey Mysterio VS Dolph Ziggler w/ Robert Roode!

The tables have turned, but will the momentum still swing in the Mysterios’ favor? Or is the Show-Off going to show Dom that he’s not cut out for the family business?

The bell rings, they circle, and Ziggler shows superkick but Dom stays back. Ziggler dares Dom to show him what he can do, and then shoves him! Dom shoves back! Ziggler SLAPS Dom, laughs, and throws haymakers! “You don’t belong here!” Ziggler whips, Dom dodges and SLAPS Ziggler! Then dropkicks him! Ziggler bails out to regroup with Roode, but Dom slingshots out! Ziggler is ready, and he trips Dom up! Ziggler scoops and SLAMS Dom to the floor, laughs again, and drags Dom up to talk more trash. Ziggler puts Dom in at 5 of 10, then stalks him to a corner. Dom shoves Ziggler away, Ziggler gets in Dom’s face but Dom throws haymakers! Ziggler DECKS Dom and laughs again.

Ziggler turns Dom with a NECKBREAKER! Cocky cover, TWO! Dom gets to ropes, Ziggler is after him but Dom throws body shots! Rey coaches Dom but Ziggler DECKS him! “You can’t hang with me!” Ziggler scoops and SLAMS Dom again and fires up. Ziggler pushes Dom around, talks more trash, and reels Dom in. Ziggler suplexes but Dom makes it a cradle, DOM WINS!!

Winner: Dominik Mysterio, by pinfall

Ziggler tries to deny this happened, but it happened! Can Dom and Rey catch the Dirty Dawgs sleeping and take those titles from them?

Backstage interview with Reginal, Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler.

Surprisingly, instead of either of the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions facing Tamina 1v1 tonight, the stylish sommelier is stepping up! Why? “As someone with a heightened palette, there is nothing worse than a sour taste in my mouth.” That is what he was left with after last week. He stands with the best tag team today, and knows that they will break Tamina & Natalya next week. Tonight, Reggie will break Tamina’s spirt to then have some spirits to cleanse his palette of Tamina’s sour presence. Another rare co-ed match could set the tone for next week’s title match! Will Reggie be tasting sweet victory or bitter defeat tonight?

SmackDown has another classic moment: November 11, 1999!

Arnold Schwarzenegger was a special guest, and he thanked the fans for the reception. He got to join commentary as The Rock’s team battled DX! Arnold helped Stone Cold get a chair, HHH took a swing on Arnold, and HHH got terminated!

Roman sits in his room.

Heyman walks over and Roman tells him to fetch his cousin. Which one? Roman glares at Heyman and he understands. Will Jey have to explain what went down to Roman?

Reginald w/ Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler VS Tamina w/ Natalya!

SmackDown returns as the statement makers, bone breakers and title takers make their entrance. Reggie doesn’t seem worried despite being in the ring with the Daughter of Superfly. The bell rings and Reggie wants Tamina to take a moment while he takes off his jacket. Reggie has a Team Shay-Nia shirt, and then he backflips to avoid Tamina’s boot! Reggie goes around the way, shows off his acrobatics going in then right back out the ring, but slides back in. Tamina rushes in, Reggie handsprings under the clotheslines, but this only upsets Tamina. Tamina grabs him by his hair, reels him in, and THROWS him, but Reggie lands on his feet! Tamina snarls and Reggie realizes he’s cornered!

Reggie slides under but gets caught! Tamina drags him up, “Who do you think you are?!” She tosses Reggie into a corner and Reggie climbs up! Reggie stands on the post itself! Tamina climbs up but Reggie LEAPS over, with a corkscrew! Even Shayna likes that one! Reggie does a dance, into a SUPERKICK! Nia and Shayna are in shock as Tamina puts Reggie in the drop zone! Tamina climbs, Shayna shoves her down and Nia drags Reggie out!

Winner: Tamina, by disqualification

Shayna goes after Tamina, Natty goes after Shayna but Nia CLOBBERS Natty! The champs combine for the KNEE SIDEWALK SLAM! Tamina fights them but that’s 2v1! Shayna drags Tamina by an arm, hammerlocks it, and Nia holds Tamina down so Shayna can STOMP the arm! Nia then drags Tamina out of the ring for a fireman’s carry, SAMOAN DROP into barriers! Nia then stands on Tamina’s head and tells her, “Don’t you DARE disrespect Reggie like that!” The Irresistible Force and Queen of Spades stand tall for now, but will they pay for this in just one week?

Apollo Crews and his team have gathered.

The WWE Intercontinental Champion says that much like his great-grandfather united tribes towards a common goal, tonight he leads these men into battle! They have King Corbin’s brutality, the might of Otis, the strategy of Chad Gable, and we have… Well Sami’s here. Like the five fingers of the hand, alone they are vulnerable, but together they are unbreakable! Apollo’s team is fired up, but will they be extinguished by their opponents? Speaking of…

Big E and his team have gathered!

“Oh~, tonight! We set our differences aside, because we throw it back, and OH~ we throwing down!” Those boys are gonna feel~ the power and the pain! Right, Kevin? Yeah. OHHH~! And that means Big E, Nakamura, KO and the Profits are UP, and #WeWantTheSmoke!! Ten men are ready to turn it up to 11! We see one for the history books, after the break!

10 Man Tag: Big E, Kevin Owens, Shinsuke Nakamura & The Street Profits VS Sami Zayn, King Corbin, The Alpha Academy & Apollo Crews w/ Commander Azee!

SmackDown returns with this match starting, Gable and Angelo Dawkins tie up. They go around, Gable waistlocks, Dawkins switches but Gable switches back to a headlock takeover. Dawkins headscissors, Gable kips free but Dawkins reverses roles with his own headlock takeover. Gable headscissors, Dawkins kips free, then shoots in, but Gable blocks to roll him. Dawkins keeps moving, hurdles but Gable arm-drags! Dawkins arm-drags then FLAPJACKS! Tag to Montez Ford, the Profits whip Gable to dropkick him down! Ford handsprings and shows off the shoulder shimmy before he covers, TWO! Sami shouts at Ford but Ford wrenches Gable. Gable breaks free and throat chops!

Tag to Apollo, they mug Ford, and Apollo drags Ford up to scoop and SLAM him! Apollo mocks Big E with the New Day clap, then Sami tags himself in! Apollo is upset but Sami stomps away on Ford. Sami CLUBS Ford down, does his moves and then stomps Ford! Sami puts Ford on ropes and chokes him! The ref counts, Sami lets off and Azeez smiles. Sami puts Ford in a corner, tells the ref to watch Kevin, and then he throws hands on Ford. Sami wrenches Ford, whips him corner to corner, but Ford goes up and over and handsprings to show off, before he dropkicks Sami down! Ford wrenches, Big E tags in, but Sami gets away! Big E dares Apollo to get in but Apollo swivels hips.

Corbin tags in, the Wolf King circles with Big E and they tie up. Big E headlocks, Corbin powers out, but Big E ducks and dodges to ram shoulders! Corbin rebounds to LARIAT! Corbin taunts Big E’s team, things speed up but Big E hurdles to CLOBBER Corbin! Big E pushes Corbin to a cover, ONE! Big E gets Corbin up, but Corbin powers him to the corner! Sami mugs Big E but Kevin BLASTS Sami off the apron! Sami’s team help shim but Kevin’s team rushes over! It is chaotic at ringside, Kevin get to the apron to FROG SPLASH Sami down!! Fans are fired up as all 10 men #JustKeepFighting, and SmackDown goes to break!

SmackDown returns again as Otis has Kevin down with a neck wrench. Kevin endures, fights up, and fights back with body shots. Kevin CHOPS, runs, but Otis throws body shots of his own! Otis whips Kevin to the corner, taunts the other team, then runs in to SPLASH! Apollo tags in and he stares Big E down before getting Kevin up. Apollo fireman’s carries, Kevin fights free to kick, but no stunner! Apollo mule kicks, Kevin dodges the boot to atomic drop and ENZIGURI! Both men are down and everyone fires u! Gable trips up Big E but Big E chases him, only for Otis to CLOBBER him! Apollo likes that, and he drags Kevin up to whip. Kevin reverses, ducks and WHEEL KICKS!

Hot tags to Nakamura and Sami! The King of Strong Style hits a DYNAMIC DROPKICK! He fires off on Gable, KICKS him down, then DECKS Corbin! Sami blindsides Nakamura, whips, but Nakamura kicks to get him with the WHEEL KICK! Nakamura whips, Sami uses that to BLAST the Profits! Sami tries to boot Nakamura but gets put in the ropes! SLIDING GERMAN! Nakamura hops up to hit a FLYING KNEE! Cover, but Corbin breaks it in time! Corbin throws Nakamura out but Big E gets Corbin for a Belly2Belly! Apollo gets in to ENZIGURI and GERMAN Big E! Kevin gets Apollo with a STUNNER!! Otis drags Kevin out but gets a SUPERKICK for it! Otis stays up!?

Kevin SUPERKICKS Otis again, Otis still stands! Gable waistlocks Kevin for a GERMAN SUPLEX to the ramp! Dawkins POUNCES Gable, Otis CLOBBERS Dawkins! Ford FLIES and takes out Otis!! Nakamura aims at Sami, for the KIN- NO! Sami elbows him away and Corbin tags in! KINSHASA but a little too late! END OF DAYS!! Cover, Team Apollo win!!

Winners: Apollo Crews, Baron Corbin, Sami Zayn & The Alpha Academy, by pinfall

The ones who took advantage of the chaos and fury come out on top! Will this solidify Apollo as a true leader? Sami tries to sneak a touch at the Intercontinental title, is this as close as he’ll get to it?

Roman talks with his cousin.

Doesn’t he understand that all the hard work they’ve put in, the responsibilities he’s given Jey, and why? For the family. They do it because of love. Roman loves the Usos, which is why he wants Jimmy to have the same opportunities. But Roman needs to know where Jimmy stands, and we’re all about to find out right now. Roman leads the way back towards gorilla! What will Roman do to test his cousins’ loyalties?

SmackDown has one more classic moment!

“Viva la Raza~!” July 22, 2004, Eddie Guerrero returned and invited Vince McMahon into the low rider! The hydraulics were a bit more of a ride than Vince thought, but he didn’t mind, he was riding with Latino Heat! We miss you, Eddie!

SmackDown returns with Roman, Heyman and Jey in the ring.

Heyman gives Roman a mic again, and Roman says, “This is not how I envisioned the night. It was simple: I bring your brother back in-” Jimmy interrupts! Jimmy said he’s not being bossed around and now he’s playing by his own rules! Jimmy gets himself a mic as he gets in the ring and asks what’s up with Jey. Where does he stand? When Jey and Roman fought, that was an I Quit match. Jimmy sat backstage and watched, and Jey wasn’t quitting for nothing! Not until Roman dragged Jimmy into the ring, into the Guillotine and choked him out! Then Jey said he quit, for Jimmy’s sake because he loves Jimmy! Does Jey not remember? There’s footage from Hell in a Cell 2020 to remind him!

Jimmy tells Jey, “Don’t get hot at me when I say this. But if it were me, I would’ve never said I quit to you, no matter what.” Roman tells Jimmy, “That’s what this is about?” Jimmy’s stuck on the past? Roman and Jey moved past that. Roman isn’t going to go back and forth with Jimmy. “It’s simple: Fall in line. Stand with us. And acknowledge me.” Or Jimmy can take his ass home. Got that? And when Jimmy turns on the TV, he’ll have to explain to his kids why he’s home with them, watching The Tribal Chief, and THE Uso. Jimmy drops the mic and steps away. But then Jimmy stops at the ramp, and Jey assures Roman he’s close. Jey goes out to talk to Jimmy and says this will be easy once he accepts Roman.

But then Cesaro attacks Roman! The Swiss Cyborg has Roman alone, but Jey gets in, only to get CLOBBERED! Jimmy walks away as Cesaro fires off, but then he runs back in! Jimmy goes after Cesaro to save his brother! Cesaro pops Jimmy up for a EuroUpper! Jey gets up, Cesaro kicks him down and reels him in, NEUTRALIZER! Cesaro goes back to Roman, reels him in, and hits a NEUTRALIZER on Roman!! The Swiss Cyborg just devastated the Bloodline! Does this mean Cesaro will become Head of the Table??

My Thoughts:

A really good SmackDown, but a rather poor “throwback” SmackDown. Granted, I think this was because Fox insisted, not because WWE wanted to do a special episode. But even then, they kinda just threw everything together to reference the past. We got a CG SmackDown fist, not the real deal, but they were using the retro WWE logo that fits more of the 80’s and 90’s. By the time SmackDown came around, they were using the scratch logo of the Attitude Era. I get the Attitude Era isn’t the most appropriate, but that aesthetic would be more accurate. That aside, getting historic moments thrown in here and there were appropriate, and I’m glad we got those.

Bayley and Bianca had a good segment. Bayley listing past champions specifically from the WWE Women’s Championship line was nice, and it fit that she used them all to put herself over. Bianca had a good promo, and Bayley standing tall in their brawl furthers the fact that Bianca will retain. Ruby VS Carmella was a good match, but it just makes me remember Billie Kay got let go and she could’ve been money during this segment, coaching Mella, cheering her on, being the reason Mella wins with a cheat, and then they’d look strong in the tag division while Mella builds up in the singles. But nope, just Mella winning.

We got a very good tag title build, though, even with Nia and Shayna disqualifying the match of Tamina VS Reggie. The titles being on the line on SmackDown makes sense in a few ways. For one, the titles get exposure on TV as opposed to being on a PPV which (even with the various ways Peacock makes itself available) still costs extra. The match can have some time to breathe on the go-home to Backlash, and can make for a big moment on SmackDown if Tamina & Natty win. Ziggler goading Dom into facing him instead of Rey only to lose was good stuff, and their tag title match at Backlash could make up for a lot of the lackluster creativity because we could be seeing history.

Everything with Teddy Long tonight was great, and was the best part of this being a throwback episode. His involvement at the beginning with how Cesaro and Rollins got into it was great, and his promo backstage with Sami and Sonya was brilliant. The promos going into the 10 Man tag were fun, and the 10 Man Tag itself was really fun. We got great interactions between Apollo and Big E and then Kevin and Sami, and Corbin being the one to win and off of Nakamura, maybe things go from a Fatal 4 to a Six Pack Challenge. Or at least a Furious 5 to crown a contender who then faces Apollo later. Either would be great, though.

The Usos costing Rollins to then give us Roman VS Cesaro was a nice twist. I like that there is even the hint of a slow burn for Rollins and Roman in the works, but I should’ve figured this would somehow turn into Uso VS Uso. Sure, wrestling has seen tag partners face each other, and seen brothers face each other, but Jimmy VS Jey, with Roman and Heyman on the side, is going to be something special. Roman VS Cesaro will also be something special, but I do not see Backlash being the night Roman loses.

My Score: 8.2/10

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

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Coverage

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

3 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

8 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.