Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (10/8/21)

Let the tournaments begin!

Published

3 years ago

October 8, 2021

Steven Mitchell

It’s the SmackDown season premiere!

And to make the night that much bigger, BOTH the King of the Ring and the brand new Queen’s Crown tournaments kick off with big grudge matches!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

King of the Ring Opening Round: Rey Mysterio VS Sami Zayn; Sami wins and advances to the next round.
Queen’s Crown Opening Round: Zelina Vega VS Toni Storm; Vega wins and advances to the next round.
Queen’s Crown Opening Round: Carmella VS Liv Morgan; Carmella wins and advances to the next round.
King of the Ring Opening Round: Cesaro VS Finn Balor; Balor wins and advances to the next round.

PLAY BY PLAY

SmackDown opens with a title contract signing!

The EST is out first and San Jose is fired up! Becky Lynch sits at her own table far away from Bianca, and Sasha Banks stands on the announce desk to show off. Adam Pearce welcomes us to this “season premiere” episode, and says this is to make the Triple Threat official for Crown Jewel! Sonya Deville introduces the participants in turn, starting with Bianca, then Sasha, and then The Man. Becky says The Man has come around to San Jose and they love her here. She decided to sit here so she could get a good look at everything. “Esther” must feel bad after her losing streak going into Crown Jewel.

And Sasha, “ya disco ball lookin’ fool!” She attacks Becky from behind without a thank you for saving SummerSlam? Well there will be payback! Aw, did they miss Sasha? The fans sure did. Or is Becky just jelly that Sasha’s spotlight is just bigger? That’s why she’s the conversation, the blueprint, the- No no no. Bianca says the only conversation is about signing the contract. Sasha is the Boss but she just returns and returns and returns to cheap shot Bianca. And Becky wants to bring up SummerSlam? Then let’s be real. Becky rid the momentum of Bianca to get that opportunity. That wasn’t prepared, that was lucky. Still won in 26 seconds!

Well every big moment has had Bianca’s name in it. She is the common denominator. That’s why they both keep coming for Bianca, but Bianca’s in the ring and they aren’t. They should get in, cuz she’s ready now! Fans fire up for the “E S T! E S T!” but Becky just shrugs that off, so Bianca THROWS an armchair! Becky says Bianca sure thinks she’s tough for losing in 26 seconds. Becky flips her table then storms to the ring. But Sasha sneaks in to BLINDSIDE Bianca! Sasha then fires off in the corner but Becky gets Sasha back! Then she stomps Bianca! Sasha throws Becky into another corner and stomps her now! Becky bumps Sasha back then JUMP KICKS!

Bianca brings Becky around to ROCK her! Then she DOUBLE TORTURE RACKS! Sasha slips off but Bianca SMACKS her with Becky! Sasha ends up on the table, Bianca hits a KISS OF DEATH! Becky and Sasha both go through the table!! Fans are thunderous as The EST shows why she IS the strongEST! But what about the contract? Will they have to do these signings offscreen?

Backstage interview with Rey & Dominik Mysterio.

Kayla Braxton notes that tonight starts the King of the Ring 2021. What would winning this mean to Rey? Other than being Universal Champion, this is the next best thing. To rule as King of WWE, imagine that! Rey truly becoming a king! It’d make him sick if Sami Zayn became king at his expense, so he can’t let that happen. Dom tells Rey that he’ll let him go out alone. That’s a bit of a surprise to Rey, but he respects his son’s choice. Rey goes it solo, can he shut the Great Liberator down in round one?

SmackDown shares the King of the Ring bracket!

Along with Rey VS Sami, the first round has: Cesaro VS Finn Balor; Kofi Kingston VS Jinder Mahal; and Xavier Woods VS Ricochet! Could there potentially be New Day VS New Day in the second round?

King of the Ring Opening Round: Rey Mysterio VS Sami Zayn!

SmackDown returns and Dom is still watching backstage. Sami walks by and wants to say Dom made the right choice. Rey’s a good man, but it is time for Dom to be his own man. Sami thinks Dom is even better than his dad. Sami then makes his entrance while Dom thinks on that.

The bell rings, Sami rushes but Rey dodges the boot! Victory roll, TWO! Rey ROCKS Sami with a right, runs in but is put on the apron. Rey ROCKS Sami again, goes up and FLYING RANAS! Rey runs and goes up but Sami turns rana into POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!! Sami drags Rey up, throws haymakers, whips but Rey tilt-o-whirls to put Sami on ropes! Rey dials it up but Sami bails out. Rey builds speed again to FLY AND RANA!! Sami hits hard and San Jose is fired up! Rey puts Sami in, climbs up top, FLYING SPLASH! Cover, TWO!! Sami survives and Rey can’t believe it! Sami gets up, Rey stalks after him and climbs up in the corner. Rey rains down rights and gets all 10!

Sami slumps down while Rey shouts out Latino Heat. Rey gets Sami up as fans chant for “Eddie! Eddie!” Rey wrenches and whips but Sami reverses, kicks and POSTS Rey! Rey slumps out of the ring and Sami is already celebrating. Dom walks out to ringside now, out of concern for his dad. Will Dom respect Rey’s space the way he wants in return? We find out, when SmackDown returns from break.

SmackDown returns and Sami has Rey in a corner. Sami throws hands, the ref counts and Sami lets off. Rey kicks back, throws forearms, then whips. Sami reverses but Rey goes up and over and comes back, into an EXPLODER into the corner! Dom is worried for his dad as Sami wants Rey to get back up. Sami goes corner to corner, but Rey RANAS the boot away! Cover, TWO! Rey hops on for a CODE RED! Cover, TWO!! Sami staggers up to a corner, Rey is after him but Sami elbows him down. Sami goes up, Rey throws hands! Rey climbs up but Sami shoves him to the apron! Sami then drags Rey up by his mask, only for Rey to ROCK him with haymakers!

Rey climbs again, and SUPER STEINERS! Cover, TWO!! Sami is still in this and Rey grows a bit frustrated. But fans rally up, Rey whips but Sami reverses. Rey springboards but Sami ducks the crossbody! Sami hurries to get Rey up, BLUE THUNDER RANA! Rey dropkicks Sami into ropes, then dials it up, but Sami dodges the 619 to BLUE THUNDER BOMB! Cover, TWO!! Sami can’t believe it! He goes to a corner, and decides to start undoing some padding! Dom sees that while the ref doesn’t, and Dom moves that way. Sami hoists Rey up but sees Dom pick up the buckle pad. Dom ties it back on! Sami turns around into Rey’s SEATED SENTON!

Rey tells Dom to stop already, but Dom explains he’s helping. Sami shoves Rey into Dom and rolls him up! SAMI WINS!!

Winner: Sami Zayn, by pinfall (advances to the second round)

The father didn’t trust the son and now the King of Lucha is out of the tournament! Sami puts on the crown and cape already, is he going to be the WWE’s king?

SmackDown, get ready, because Hit Row is coming.

B-Fab, Top Dolla, Ashante “Thee” Adonis and Isaiah “Swerve” Scott. If you didn’t know, now you know.

Backstage interview with Seth Rollins.

After The Architect committed a very unsettling Breaking & Entering on the Copeland home, Kayla asks if Rollins crossed the line. That does seem the be the narrative, doesn’t it? But just humor Rollins for one minute. Up until SummerSlam. Rollins is embarrassed, humiliated, mocked and ridiculed. Through all that, Rollins still managed to beat Edge at Madison Square Garden in a sanctioned match and with a legal maneuver. Is Rollins celebrated? No! He’s called a monster and demonized for it! But that’s fine. The double standards are thrown out. Because Rollins has been the bigger man, coming out week after week, challenging Edge to have it out once and for all.

Not a single thing from Edge, though! Rollins sure hasn’t heard anything. So Rollins did what any sane man would do and kept his promise: Rollins went to Edge’s home to get an answer. So NO, Rollins hasn’t crossed any lines, and he STILL hasn’t gotten an answer to his challenge! The more Rollins thinks about it, he isn’t even sure why he’s here talking about this. Kayla has no power to do anything. So excuse him while he goes and finds someone who does. Will he talk to Pearce and Sonya about having a shot at the Rated R Superstar?

SmackDown shares the Queen’s Crown bracket!

Liv Morgan VS Carmella is later tonight, but there’s also “Doudrop” Piper Niven VS Natalya, Shayna Baszler VS Dana Brooke, and the match that’s up next to kick off this inaugural tournament!

Queen’s Crown Opening Round: Zelina Vega VS Toni Storm!

La Muneca promises to rule like Queen Cleopatra, and tells us to get ready to call her Queen Zelina. But will The Doll be rocked by the Lightning From Down Under?

SmackDown returns and Toni makes her entrance. The bell rings, Toni blocks Vega’s kick then lets it down, to snapmare and hip attack! Vega is reeling from being hit by a cheek, and she hits a THESZ PRESS! Vega throws fast hands but Toni shoves her away! Vega KNEES Toni down, covers, TWO! Vega wraps on a dragon sleeper stretch and bends Toni back! Toni endures, Vega shifts to STOMP her down! Vega grins and poses over Toni, but fans boo. Vega says the crown is already hers, but Toni ROCKS her with forearms! Toni fires off, then HEADBUTTS Vega! Toni hits a stalling ATOMIC DROP! Then runs to DECK Vega with a forearm!

Fans fire up with Toni and she runs to HIP ATTACK in the corner! Toni then shoves Vega, goes up the corner but Vega trips her up! Vega KICKS then THROWS Toni down! Vega snarls and runs in but Toni spins her around to a Gory Especial! Vega turns it into a CODE RED! Cover, Vega wins!!

Winner: Zelina Vega, by pinfall (advances to the next round)

And it’s over just like that! Vega wants that crown, will she be the one sitting on the throne at Crown Jewel?

Roman Reigns heads to the ring!

San Jose is ready to acknowledge their Tribal Chief as the WWE Universal Champion of 403 days walks out, Paul Heyman and The Usos right behind him. Roman and his cousins hold up the titles for the pyro, then continue down the ramp. The Head of the Table is going to send a message to BROCK LESNAR, after the break.

SmackDown returns and the Bloodline is in the ring, raising their belts for the second round of pyro. Heyman hands Roman the mic, and Roman tells San Jose, “Acknowledge me.” Fans certainly do, and they raise their fingers in unison with the Usos. Roman says his Special Counsel had one job to do before tonight and that was to make sure the Usos were drafted to SmackDown. Clearly, that’s what he did. So San Jose, acknowledge Heyman. Fans don’t seem as eager to do that. Roman puts an arm around Heyman’s shoulders and says, “I love you, Paul.” Heyman is touched as Roman says the Usos love him, too. Heyman says he loves them back.

Roman says Heyman is family. He is the Wiseman to the family. And that is what Roman wants right now: for Heyman to be wise. Heyman needs to come clean and tell the truth. Fans chants “Suplex City!” because they know what Roman means. Roman says San Jose is silly. Suplex City isn’t real, this is the Island of Relevancy! Now back to what the Tribal Chief was talking about here. Roman wants Heyman to come clean and admit that he is responsible for Brock Lesnar’s free agency. Heyman is given the mic and says he is in a terrible situation. No matter what he says, it’ll sound like spin. He has been loyal and faithful to the family for 40 YEARS.

But Roman makes Heyman look him in the eyes. Heyman tells Roman that Roman choice him, saved him, to be his Special Counsel because Roman knew Heyman IS the Wiseman. Heyman has been accused of many things in his life, and he’s guilty of even more, but he’s never been accused of being stupid. Pulling the trigger now on a scheme to dethrone the Tribal Chief would be STUPID! Think about it! Why do it before Crown Jewel? Wouldn’t the whole thing would be for Heyman to stay within his circle, maintain his trust, and counsel him on a strategy that he would then leak it to Lesnar, making him think he has a chance. Not that Lesnar has a chance, but he would think he does!

Wouldn’t that be the time to pull the trigger? Do you know how Lesnar is lying? Because he’s telling you in advance a move against Roman! And only someone STUPID would do that! Heyman thinks so highly of Roman, and Roman wouldn’t choose a stupid man to be his counsel. Lesnar cannot stand the fact that at Crown Jewel, the Conqueror will be conquered by Roman… wants the mic back… Heyman hands it over and Roman doesn’t want him to tell the Bloodline. Look in the camera and tell Brock. No excuses. And don’t worry, Roman will protect Heyman, because he can. Heyman looks at the camera as fans chant, “WE WANT LESNAR!”

“Brock… I have to give you a ton of credit. You outsmarted the Wiseman on this one. Frankenstein taught the doctor a lesson. You know what’s gonna happen to you at Crown Jewel, we’ve had this conversation years ago. They said The Undertaker couldn’t be defeated at WrestleMania. I told you, The Undertaker met his match and the match’s name was Brock Lesnar. Brock Lesnar has met his match, and his match’s name is Roman… Reigns!

“Roman Reigns will walk into Crown Jewel as your Tribal Chief, and he will fight you as a Tribal BEAST. And you will learn at Crown Jewel one thing: the winner, and still Reigning, Defending, Undisputed, Uncontroverted WWE Universal Heavyweight Champion… The Tribal Chief, Roman. Reigns. And that’s not just a prediction. Brock Lesnar, that is a spoiler, and you can believe that!” Heyman drops the mic, drops to his knees and hands the title back to Roman for him to hold up. Will the words of Heyman become reality when the Head of the Table meets the Beast in two weeks?

Pearce and Sonya are visited by Seth Rollins.

Knock knock~! But to get to the point, is Edge going to be here tonight or not? Well he was before Rollins broke into his house. Oh, right, that makes sense. But Rollins wants an answer one way or another. At the end of the night, Rollins will go to the ring. If Edge shows up tonight, Rollins full expects an answer. If not, then that is on management, and this show won’t end very well. Oh, and one more thing. If they do happen to run into Edge before he does, maybe return this picture to him. Rollins took a picture of Edge and Beth Phoenix sharing a romantic moment! Will this scumbag “Visionary” get what he wants one way or another?

Queen’s Crown Opening Round: Carmella VS Liv Morgan!

The self-proclaimed Most Beautiful Woman in the WWE delayed the Extreme Rules rematch last week by putting on a rather ridiculous protective mask for her face, then sucker punching Liv. Will Liv get the sweetest revenge when she floors Mella and takes a step closer to history?

SmackDown returns and Liv makes her entrance. But Mella hurries out of the ring to get that mask back on. Liv says that won’t save her, the bell rings, and Liv trips Mella up! Liv throws hands, Mella kicks her away but Liv jackknifes. TWO, into the CODE OF SILENCE! Liv reaches for Mella’s face and grabs the mask! Mella freaks out, lets Liv go and throws hands! Mella is furious but the mask is still on. Liv elbows Mella in the chest, then dodges to block the kick and ENZIGURI! The mask doesn’t protect the back of her head! CODE BREAKER! Cover, ROPEBREAK! Liv forgot about ring positioning and Mella survives

Liv runs but Mella BOOTS her! Mella CLUBS away on Liv’s back, covers, TWO! Mella gets to ropes, Liv runs in but misses ObLIVion! Mella HOTSHOTS Liv, FABULOUS KICKS then covers, Mella wins!

Winner: Carmella, by pinfall (advances to the next round)

Mella takes off the mask and celebrates her victory! But she’s going up against her ally in Zelina Vega, will the protective mask still help her through?

Backstage interview with Mace!

Separated from his tag partner, T-Bar, what is Mace going to do as a singles competitor? Mace doesn’t see himself “competing” much. “To compete” implies there is worthy competition. Mace looks around and sees no one who can match his strength, aggression or his disposition to dominate. All he sees is fresh prey. Mace isn’t here to compete, he is here to ANNIHILATE!

Happy Corbin heads to the ring!

And not just him! Here comes “Madcap” Riddick Moss! These two are still feeling great after making Kevin Owens the butt of their jokes. But now, Happy Talk has its second episode, and the Street Profits will be their guests! Will Corbin & Moss be cracking wise at the Profits’ expense?

SmackDown returns and Corbin’s in his plush leather chair with Moss applauding. Corbin says he is the happiest man in the world, and welcomes us back to the “award winning” talk show that has the WWE Universe “grinning from ear to ear.” One of the things that makes Corbin so happy is his buddy, Madcap Moss. Moss says, “What instrument do you find in a bathroom? A tuba toothpaste.” Moss and Corbin laugh like the hyenas they are, but here comes KEVIN OWENS! He wasn’t a guest but he doesn’t give a damn! Moss goes out to be security but he gets kicked and thrown into barriers! Kevin clubs away, then gest in to fire off on Corbin!

Fans fire up as Kevin hammers away but Moss returns! Kevin kicks back but Corbin stops the stunner! Moss and Corbin mug Kevin, clear out space, and then whip Kevin into a corner! Kevin tumbles and falls, and Moss is laughing all over again. Moss gets Kevin up, and gives him a SPIKE NECKBREAKER! Well, no Happy Talk with the Profits, but will Corbin and Moss keep laughing until their need stitches? Or will Kevin be the reason for that?

Pearce and Sonya double check the SmackDown Women’s title Crown Jewel contract.

They need to figure out how to get this by the end of the night, but then Naomi barges in! She is getting tired of this, Sonya! Why was Naomi not even considered for the Queen’s Crown tournament? Sonya says first of all, she owes no explanations. But if Naomi wants an answer, it is because she is not worthy. Not worthy of being a queen or even being on SmackDown. So Naomi should be thankful she’s still here. Woman, Naomi is a two-time champion. Can Pearce just trade Naomi to Raw or something? No no, Sonya is not done with Naomi. Naomi DOES have a match next week, and it is against Sonya! Just what Naomi wanted! It’s on like a pot o’ neck bone, but will Sonya #FeelTheGlow in her in-ring return?

King of the Ring Opening Round: Cesaro VS Finn Balor!

The Swiss Cyborg wants to finally establish himself as a top talent, but in his way is a Prince hungry to be a king! Will Balor make this opener Too Sweet?

SmackDown returns and Cesaro makes his entrance. The bell rings, the two shake hands and then tie up. They go around, Cesaro wrenches the arm to a wristlock but Balor rolls and hooks a leg. Cesaro wrangles Balor back down, but Balor kips up and wrenches around to a headlock. Cesaro powers up but Balor grinds the headlock. Cesaro powers up, but Balor fights again. Cesaro goes to a corner but Balor goes up and around to hit a takeover! Cesaro makes that a cover, TWO! Cesaro headscissors, Balor kips out and headlocks again. Cesaro powers out this time, Balor ducks and dodges but runs into a tilt-o-whirl BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!

Cesaro pushes Balor then whips him to a corner hard! Balor bounces off buckles, Cesaro covers, TWO! Cesaro stalks Balor, snapmares him then runs to drop the leg, brother! Cover, TWO! Balor gets to a corner, Cesaro is on him again with body shots then EuroUppers! Cesaro CLUBS Balor in the back, whips corner to corner but Balor goes up and over to trip and DOUBLE STOMP! Cesaro gets up while wincing and Balor fires up. Balor dumps Cesaro out high and hard, then builds speed to get a POP-UP EUROUPPER! Cover, TWO! Balor bails out and Cesaro is frustrated, but SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns again and Balor fires off forearms! Cesaro shoves but Balor BOOTS from the corner! Cesaro ROCKS, CHOPS but Cesaro CHOPS and whips! Balor ducks and dodges, tilt-o-whirl into the ELBOW DROP DDT! Cover, TWO! Cesaro gets to ropes and drags himself up but Balor glare sand runs in to KICK him down! Balor stomps away at the ropes, lets off as the ref counts, then waits for Cesaro to rise. Balor runs in, but no Slingblade as Cesaro shoves him away! EuroUpper! Whip corner to corner, another EuroUpper! Whip back the other way, another EuroUpper! And back again, but Balor SLINGBLADES! Fans fire up as both men are down!

Balor gets to a corner, Cesaro runs in as fans rally up, Balor dodges and Cesaro hits buckles! Balor GAMANGIRIS Cesaro down then climbs up top! Cesaro Euro SHORYUKENS Balor down! Cesaro headbutts, Balor wobbles, and Cesaro climbs up! Cesaro brings Balor up but Balor blocks the superplex! They brawl with body shots, Cesaro powers up to SUPERPLEX!! Cesaro crawls to the cover, TWO!! Balor survives, but is in the CROSSFACE! Cesaro pulls back, Balor reaches out, but then Balor rolls it to a cover! TWO, and Cesaro EuroUppers! Cesaro trips Balor but Balor victory rolls it! TWO, and Balor gets to a corner. Cesaro runs in but only gets POST!

Cesaro flops out of the ring and Balor builds speed to FLY! Direct hit at the ramp! Fans fire up with Finn as he puts Cesaro back in! SHOTGUN DROPKICK! Cesaro is down again and Balor goes up top! COUP DE GRACE!! Cover, Balor wins!!

Winner: Finn Balor, by pinfall (advances to the next round)

And with that, the Prince is one step closer to the throne! Will Balor silence the Great Liberator in the semifinals to go to Crown Jewel?

Becky Lynch complains to management.

No one, not even Roman Reigns or Brock Lesnar, has changed the game the way The Man has! She is an institution, this is her show! Put respect on her name! She’s delivered on every request, but what have those two dopes done? Did they earn they way in with those blindside attacks? Is that how it is? But okay, Becky sees how it is. They’re putting her in the corner. But let the record show that she’s giving the people the biggest match possible. Sonya says we all know how great Becky is, the only thing left to do is to prove it by signing the contract and having the match. Becky takes the pen, puts her signature on it, then shoves the contract hard into Pearce. One down, two to go…

Next week, SmackDown is on Fox Sports 1!

Not only will there be the semifinals, Sami VS Finn in KOTR and Vega VS Mella in Queen’s Crown, but we’re also getting The Man VS The Boss! Will Becky or Sasha be going into Crown Jewel with more momentum? Plus, THE BEAST, BROCK LESNAR will return on this #SupersizedSmackDown before going to Saudi Arabia!

Seth Rollins heads to the ring!

The Architect is going to keep his newest promise, he awaits an answer from Edge. Will the Rated R Superstar appear to give him that answer? Or will things end poorly in San Jose?

SmackDown returns and Rollins says, “The time has come! We’ve been waiting all day, I have been waiting for weeks. Hell, I’ve been waiting all my life for a moment like this!” Edge, come out and answer Rollins’ challenge! C’mon, Edge! Don’t keep the people waiting! It doesn’t have to happen tonight, Edge can name the time, place and stipulation! Ladder match, Street Fight, No Holds Barred, it don’t matter! It could even be in Edge’s living room and the wife ‘n’ kids can cheer him on! Fans want to see Edge and Rollins is getting impatient. What happened to the Rated R Superstar? What happened to the Ultimate Opportunist?

Rollins laughs and says, “Oh, yeah. I know what happened to that guy. I ended him with ONE STOMP in Madison Square Garden!” And if Edge isn’t gonna show up here tonight, then Rollins will just take this as an admission from him that Rollins is NOT Edge Lite! Rollins is BETTER than Edge in every conceivable, possible way! But hey, Rollins understands the fans are disappointed. So is Rollins. This isn’t how he thought it’d go. But this isn’t about Rollins. Edge isn’t just disappointing Rollins, but all of the fans. This is disappointing all of Edge’s fans, and more importantly, he’s disappointing his family.

Rollins says this is embarrassing but true. He cannot imagine what it is like for Edge’s little girls to know that her daddy is no longer an inspiration, but a coward. “It must break their little hearts into tiny pieces.” Wait, Edge pulls into the arena! The music hits and Rollins is getting an answer! Rollins throws off the jacket, Edge storms out onto the stage and then heads for the ring. Rollins gets a chair, but Edge SPEARS him in the ring!! Rollins bails out, Edge goes out and SPEARS Rollins over the desk! Edge hammers away, then RAMS Rollins into steps, taking Pat McAfee’s headset with him! Edge uses that to CHOKE Rollins! Then he puts Rollins in the ring before HE gets a chair!

Edge breaks off the crossbar, just as he did with Roman Reigns! Rollins scrambles as Edge wants the crossface! Rollins elbows free then runs away! Fans boo as Rollins retreats, but Edge is seething and staring him down. Edge gets the mic, and he tells Rollins, “YOU! ME! HELL IN A CELL!!” Rollins’ smile fades away into a look of horror. Will the Architect regret allowing Edge the right to choose? Will he even survive this final encounter with the Ultimate Opportunist?

My Thoughts:

A good episode of SmackDown, but let me give a big sarcastic “wow” on how they chose to open the historic Queen’s Crown tournament. Did they seriously keep BOTH matches to such short lengths? Toni Storm is a Mae Young Classic winner and for her to not just lose but lose that quickly, regardless of who it’s against, is more Vince McMahon brand BS. And while I want to applaud WWE for giving us a Heel VS Heel match next week, I can’t because that match probably won’t last any longer than either of tonight’s matches. These completely fly in the face of how they’re setting up great things in the singles title.

Granted, that contract signing had an odd start without really any explanation. Maybe it was to keep them from fighting, but then that clearly didn’t work. Bianca putting both Becky and Sasha through the table was great, and oddly we’re getting Becky VS Sasha to get ratings on the go-home that’s on FS1. Of course, there’s also an advertised tag match, Bianca & Banks VS Becky & Charlotte. A great match on paper but I’m wondering who ditches who and when. Charlotte has no challengers right now, I’m thinking she bails and just waits things out. And at least we’re getting Naomi VS Sonya for next week, too.

The King of the Ring tournament has a good bracket. Sami VS Rey was good but it was mostly to keep the Mysterio family dysfunction going. Sami kinda jinxes himself touching the crown, though. Cesaro VS Balor made for a great main event match, and it makes sense Balor wins. One way of making up that Extreme Rules debacle would be for The Prince to become The King. Meanwhile, the Raw side looks really juicy. Woods VS Ricochet, Kofi VS Jinder, both could be really great matches, but what a story if it were to come down to Kofi and Woods. Balor VS Woods could be some great stuff, too, and could really go either way to me.

We got a great segment from Roman and Heyman, and of course Heyman gives us great promos. I really like his argument of how it’d be stupid for him to try and double cross Roman with Lesnar saying all this stuff. Heyman started to get that fire and it was like he was taking a stand for himself. I really hope Heyman finds a way to get some guts again and not let Roman kick him around. We got a decent promo from Mace about being on his own, and I was a bit disappointed in the Happy Talk segment on one, just being another beatdown of Kevin Owens, and two, the Profits didn’t come out to help. Profits should want a match with Corbin & Moss on Kevin’s behalf at this point.

Rollins and Edge had great stuff, too, and of course we get one last match out of these two. I was expecting something a bit more freeform, like a Hardcore match, but I suppose Hell in a Cell is fine. This could go either way, but with them both going to Raw, how is the feud actually over? It’d be definitive if Edge stayed on SmackDown, but I suppose Edge isn’t an Intercontinental Champion kind of guy anymore and already faced Roman for the Universal Championship. Whoever wins, I feel like they could be easily set up as the next WWE World Championship challenger, and Rollins VS Big E is something we haven’t seen in a long time.

My Score: 8.1/10

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: 4.18.2024

Motor City Machine Guns either go out on their backs, or head to Rebellion as champs! Lets see how they finish their current run in TNA!

Published

8 hours ago

April 18, 2024

Andrew Balaz

No burying the lead here! The Main Event is The System versus Motor City Machine Guns, and it’s the Go Home episode before Rebellion! So we’re guaranteed a damn good tag match, and we should get either new wrinkles, or ways to keep the storylines cooking going into the Pay-per-View.

With all the rumors and innuendo about the Guns being on their way out, I think we all assume that MCMG is losing, but my inner fanboy is still excited.

Part Three: Acceptance @TheJonGresham #TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/NE9FPzCCz2

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 19, 2024

Ratings:

Little Guido w/New FBI vs Hammerstone: Hammerstone wins via Torture Rack – SQUASH
LSG vs Joe Hendry: Hendry wins via Standing Ovation – SQUASH
Mustafa Ali & GYV vs Cody Deaner, Jake Something & Rhyno: Ali wins via 450 Splash – ** 3/4
Rosemary w/Havok vs Jody Threat w/Dani Luna: Rosemary wins via Spear – ***
Motor City Machine Guns (Chris Sabin & Alex Shelley) vs The System (Eddie Edwards & Brian Myers) w/Alisha Edwards: System wins via Roster Cut + Knee Party – *** 1/4

Results:

So we kick off the match with Josh coming out to commentary again to watch Hammerstone’s match. They really need a new way to try and keep heat without reusing the same tired gimmick of “ring side seat” to a Squash match.

Little Guido w/New FBI vs Hammerstone

Guido tries to shoot the half, but Hammerstone shrugs him off, lifts him like a child and runs him into a corner, few short shots and then just tosses him across the ring. Hammer gets a little distracted talking smack to Josh and eats a foot, but then tosses Guido with the ole Sack of Shit move and keeps working over Guido.

Hammer shoves Clayton, and provokes him to push him back right in front of the referee. She ejects them, Guido tries to take advantage but when he goes for the pinfall Hammer kicks out immediately and presses Guido out of thing through the ropes. Continues to dog walk Guido, puts the head gear on the ECW Original and then Torture Racks him while staring directly at Josh, and of course picks up the submission victory.

.@XiaBrookside and @Ashamae_Sebera face off NEXT WEEK on #TNAiMPACT! pic.twitter.com/Q0S3wSRpeu

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 19, 2024

LSG vs Joe Hendry

Hendry cuts a little promo, mentioning the Fat Uncle Phil joke…something about shopping at the TOP Dollar Store. Solid mic work.

LSG is a damn good local talent, he’s been seen in ROH and AEW in the past (perhaps others, but that’s what comes to mind immediately for me), but we all know this is an enhancement match. A few nice chain wrestling spots early, but Hendry uses his power to stop the smaller wrestler, Sack of Shit into Standing Ovation and the match is over quickly.

Mustafa Ali & GYV vs Cody Deaner, Jake Something & Rhyno

Well okay, having Deaner ask the crowd if they wanted a 3v2 or their third member…RHYNO…is pretty much a no brainer in Philly. But at least the gimmick isn’t quite as cringe as I expected.

Jake starts with Zack Gibson and throws him around. Jake goes for the tag and Deaner asks the crowd who Jake should tag, and the crowd picks Rhyno. Rhyno Whips Gibson into a corner, Drake actually softens the impact, allowing Gibson to fire back, tag out, but Rhyno levels both GYV members and then even knocks Ali off the apron. Rhyno tries to call to the crowd to tag in Deaner and that goes over like a fart in church. He tags him in anyway, and the crowd is kinda dead and doing whatever it wants after the obvious ECW chants when Rhyno tagged in.

GYV take a couple lumps but they of course start to work over Deaner and capture some momentum. Solid tandem work from GYV, they cut off Deaner from making a tag and goad Jake a little to cause the ref to block off the babyfaces so the heels can take a few shortcuts. Cody eventually makes the tag to Rhyno, hot tag, he tries to set up the Gore but the GYV manage to stop him in his tracks and hit an Enzuigiri to daze the Man Beast, he falls to his corner and Jake tags himself in. Jake literally runs them all over, tags in Cody and Launches him from the Top Rope into Zack Gibson. Ali makes the save and Jake tries to get his hands on Ali, but the GYV keep throwing themselves at him, literally. The triple team finally gets the best of Jake, they hit 3 Dives and then post Jake, so they gather around Cody like hyenas.

They forgot about Rhyno, he’s set up for a Gore, he Gores Drake, Gibson and Ali take out Rhyno, but then Cody starts to fight back. Ali stops Deaner’s offense with an Avalanche Sunset Bomb, then hits his 450 Splash. Jake barely misses being able to break up the pin.

.@TheEricYoung channels "The Sickness" as he prepares for FULL METAL MAYHEM with @FrankieKazarian at #Rebellion! #TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/tm1TqxZBLo

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 19, 2024

Rosemary w/Havok vs Jody Threat w/Dani Luna

Jody tries to start quickly with Shoulder Tackles, Lariats and Scoop Slams, and it does seem somewhat effective. Rosemary is having trouble finding offense against the intensity, but she keeps kicking out. Shotgun Dropkick finally gives Rosemary an opening, she goes into full mount and rains down strikes. Rosemary shoves Jody into a corner and Bites her in the corner. Jody tries to fight out, they go across and Rosemary catches her with the legs and puts her in the Upside Down. Splash in the corner from Rosemary, Exploder Suplex and Jody is eating a lot of offense.

Rosemary looks like she’s caught after she gets tripped up into the ropes and Jody goes for her Rope Knee into the German, but Rosemary dodges. Rosemary hits her own suplex and pulls out a beautiful Last Chancery! I haven’t seen her do that in a long time. Jody manages to fight to the ropes, Rosemary is a little slow to capitalize and eats a Pump Kick. Rosemary goes flying into the ropes, Jody hits the Double Knees into the German this time for 2, and they trade a few haymakers after that. Jody folds Rosemary with a low Lariat, Zombie rise spot a few times, Jody goes for a pinfall and Rosemary kicks out.

Havok jumps up on the apron, Dani meets her and they decide to step down, but the distraction was enough. Jody turns around and eats a Spear. Rosemary wins!

Motor City Machine Guns (Chris Sabin & Alex Shelley) vs The System (Eddie Edwards & Brian Myers) w/Alisha Edwards

Eddie and Shelley start off, and its a very simple slow start. Mostly an early stalemate, the typical Japanese style the TNA seem to love to employ. Starters tag out, but then Shelley with the blind tag, Sabin Baseball Slides out, picks Eddie’s ankle and sends his face bouncing off the apron, while Shelley sneaks up being Myers and they hit a tandem move before we cut to commercial. Off of the commercial it looks like Eddie and Myers regained control. But a nice Jawbreaker from Shelley sends Eddie falling back into the MCMG corner. Dragon Screws to both legs from Sabin and Shelley, and we get the Dragon Screw dissection spot for the Guns.

Myers gets sick of things, tries to get involved, but Simultaneous Figure Fours from the MCMG makes The System look silly. Alisha does the classic “push the rope forward” gimmick to assist Eddie in breaking the hold. She keeps chirping at Shelley until she finally grabs his foot. Shelley doesn’t take kindly, tries to grab her by the hair but she gets away, Shelley eats a strike and falls back to the ropes so Lish can just throttle him with the rope, Sabin walks over and acts like he’s going to PK her and the look of disgust on her face is hilarious, like “how dare he threaten to kick her”. Would I be mad is Masha decides to team with Lish and they win the Knockouts Tag titles? No, because the Knockouts Tags are trash. But I still prefer Lish as valet/manager.

Shelley starts fighting back after another commercial break, Eddie tries to cut him off, but Sabin clocks Eddie and Shelley manages to make the tag and Sabin comes in. Lights up both System members, Kick off Tornado DDT, into a Running Gamengiri. Eddie tries to counter but Shelley assists, tandem strikes, Double Baseball Slide into the classic MCMG spot 5 Hole Dive! Keeping up with the classics Shelley stacks the System members on each other and hit the Missile Dropkick/Flatliner spot. As the Guns are rolling, Sabin accidentally catches Sabin with his foot and The System take control! They hit their pieces of the System Overload spot, but Sabin kicks out. Roster Cut attempt from Myers, but Shelley is back. High Speed Dirt, Machine Gun Sandwich, but Lish grabs Shelley’s foot when they’re setting up Skull and Bones. Shelley gets dropped on the turnbuckle and thrown out, Sabin eats the Roster Cut followed up with Boston Knee Party and System retains!

Its a little weird to have had the two commercial cuts and the fact there’s still Nic Nemeth to follow. So it feels a little flat, I hope this wasn’t their swan song match, because it was nice to see some classic spots, but it was entirely too abbreviated.

Nemeth comes out, goes into the crowd and finds a kid with a kendo stick and borrows a beer from someone, so he does a bit of a Sandman tribute. Moose cuts off his promo basically immediately. He throws out the “can’t beat the system” line again, and Nic rolls with the punches well. Moose uses a few cute analogies about Nic having a failure laden past, but Nemeth bites back and its really damn good. He says he can see it in Moose’s eyes that he thinks he’s getting in the ring with Dolph Ziggler, but no, there is no more old Dolph Ziggler, just the new Nic Nemeth. And Moose’s cool seems to be slightly shaken after those words. Good promo.

Overall Score: 6.5/10

So this was okay, if it didn’t end as strongly as it did, I would’ve rated this much lower. Two squash matches in the beginning, reusing the Josh comes out to the announce table to watch trope is boring, hell even Clayton’s shove to Hammerstone was super lame looking. The Deaner match was luke warm at best, but things picked up around the Rosemary match.

Lets also not overlook the segments with ASH & Xia, Jonathan Gresham’s whole deal and EY having to return to the violence/sickness/world class maniac, whatever you want to call it, were all great building blocks. This definitely wasn’t what I would call a strong Go Home, but it didn’t hurt things for Rebellion. The whole injury of Cardona was addressed, which honestly sounded weird since Jordynne basically said she was expecting them to have a backup plan so she has a backup plan. I don’t really like how that video package came across.

But who knows, all I know is, this wasn’t an awful episode, it just wasn’t really strong either. Here’s to hoping Rebellion Saturday is still strong.

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

Coverage

Mitchell’s ROH Results & Report! (4/18/24)

Time to Man Up!

Published

11 hours ago

April 18, 2024

Steven Mitchell

Will the Ivy League MVP earn a title shot?

The NEW ROH World Champion, Mark Briscoe, is here to step onto the Proving Ground with one of Maria Kanellis’ baby boys, Griff Garrison! Will Griff make Maria proud? Or will he reach for the sky?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Bryan Keith VS Aaron Solo; Keith wins.
Six Man Tag: Lance Archer & The Righteous VS Jon Cruz, Savion Truitt & Damian Chambers; Archer & The Righteous win.
Lee Johnson VS JD Drake; Lee wins.
Abadon VS Allysin Kay; Abadon wins.
The Infantry VS The Iron Savages w/Jacked Jameson; The Infantry wins.
Six Woman Tag: Diamante, Leila Grey & Taya Valkyrie VS Kiera Hogan, Leyla Hirsch & Trish Adora; Kiera, Leyla & Adora win.
The Beast Mortos VS Nick Comoroto; Mortos wins.
Lady Frost VS Marti Belle; Frost wins.
The Dark Order VS Zak Patterson & Frank Milano; The Dark Order wins.
ROH World Championship Proving Ground Match: Mark Briscoe VS Griff Garrison w/ Cole Karter & Maria Kanellis; Mark wins and denies Griff a title match.

PLAY BY PLAY

Mark Briscoe speaks.

“Now House of Black, I’ve been doing this dance with y’all a little while now, and I’m starting to understand how y’all operate. Starting to understand y’all’s M-O. You try to intimidate me. You try to strike fear into the hearts of men. Well I done told you, I fear no man, I fear no evil. And ancient wisdom says the violent take it by force. Now lemme tell you, Eddie Kingston, Adam Copeland, and Mark Briscoe, we some violent men! And at Dynasty, we bringing the violence, babeh! So heed my advice, House of Black! Be afraid, be very afraid!” The Sussex County Chicken is ready for a fight, will he, the Rated R Superstar and Mad King tear down The House of Black once and for all?

Bryan Keith VS Aaron Solo!

The Bounty Hunter is still looking for a prize, but he’ll gladly fight to earn his shot. Will Keith be heading for a golden opportunity on the other side of Dynasty? Or will Solo shoot first?

The Code of Honor is upheld with sarcastic enthusiasm by Solo, and Keith shoves him away. The bell rings and Solo SLAPS Keith! Keith TACKLES Solo and rains down fists! The fans fire up, Solo gets away then knees Keith low. Solo ROCKS Keith, whips him to a corner, but Keith comes back to run Solo over! Keith scoops to SLAM Solo, then stands on Solo’s face! The fans fire up for the KNEE DROP! Keith then SLAPS Solo! The fans rally for “BK! BK!” Solo storms up but Keith kicks low. Keith reels Solo in, suplexes, and he holds Solo up! Keith marches around, then SLAMS Solo down! Solo bails out and the fans fire up as Keith aims.

Keith builds speed, slides, but Solo ducks! Solo sends Keith into steel steps! The fans boo as Solo leaves Keith behind. The ring count starts, fans chant “SOLO SUCKS! SOLO SUCKS!” Solo counts along but wants it to go faster. Keith stands at 8 of 20, slides in, but Solo stomps and HAMMERS away! The fans boo more, but Solo stands Keith up to bump him off buckles. Keith CHOPS in return! Then CHOPS again! The fans “WOO~,” then Keith ROCKS Solo with a forearm. Keith CHOPS in the corner, but then Solo dodges. Solo tries but Keith dodges the chop to CHOP Solo down! The fans fire up while Solo is stinging.

Keith whips Solo, Solo reverses and CLOBBERS Keith! Cover, TWO! Keith grits his teeth but Solo knees him in the back! And again! The fans rally, Solo taunts them, and then ELBOWS Keith in the head. Solo stalks Keith to a corner, digs his boots in, but again the fans chant “SOLO SUCKS!” Solo stomps away on Keith, digs his boots in again, but Keith fights up! The fans fire up as Keith fires forearms! Keith fires forearms again and again and again, winds up, but Solo dodges! Solo comes back, but Keith ROCKS him after all! The fans fire up as Keith runs in to BOOT! Solo sputters, Keith runs, but then Solo SUPERKICKS! Keith just roars!

Solo swings, but into a T-BONE SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! The fans rally as Keith keeps calm. Keith waits on Solo as fans rally behind him. Solo staggers into a fireman’s carry, but he fights free! Solo shoves, goes to a corner, but then Keith comes back. Solo ELBOWS Keith, whips, but Keith reverses! Solo goes up but gets caught, for an USHIGOROSHI! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up again as Keith slashes his throat and aims his finger gun! Keith underhooks, but Solo fights the lift! Solo back drops, Keith sunset flips but Solo stays up to DOUBLE STOMP! Solo then runs up, catches Keith and hits a T-BONE! Cover, TWO!

The fans fire up but Solo hurries to a corner. Solo climbs fast, and DIVING DOUBLE STOMPS! Cover, TWO!! Keith survives that coup de grace and Solo isn’t sure what to do. Solo kicks Keith around, drags him up and reels him in to underhook. Keith fight that lift, Solo CLUBS away on him, but Keith Alabama Lifts! Solo grabs ropes so Keith lets him down, and ENZIGIRIS! But Solo SCREW HIGH KICKS! Solo goes up top, but Keith RISING HEADBUTTS! The fans fire up with Keith and he climbs! Keith reels Solo in, for DIAMOND DUST!! Cover, Keith wins!

Winner: Bryan Keith, by pinfall

A big win for BK! And he gives back that sarcastic handshake. Will the Bounty Hunter be hot on the trail of a championship after AEW & ROH pass through the Gateway City?

Mark Sterling speaks.

“If you ask AI to create the perfect professional wrestler, it wouldn’t even come close to you. If wrestling is a body business, then you’re a multinational corporation. Biology defying symmetry, no fat, all muscle, no waste. As functional as you are aesthetic. High-flying? You got it. Ground ‘n’ pound? You got that, too. Striking, brawling, submission, technical, there is not a single style you have not perfected. For the last 20 years, you’ve been one of the most consistent and proficient wrestling specimens for any company that’s been willing to throw money at you and begged you to stay. And now, it’s time for them to beg for mercy.

“You are Tony Nese, and you are a Premier Athlete.”

Now Mark Sterling & The Premier Athletes are here in person.

They stand backstage, Sterling’s guys in matching tracksuits, and he says the last time he looked into the camera, he told everyone he had a plan. The very next day, they enacted that plan. Sterling took them off the road, they entered a professional fight camp. They got the best coaches, best trainers, best doctors, and these three started to do what they do best: go to work. Supercard of Honor, against two former ROH TV Champions, PA got an impressive victory. Fruits of their labor. Ariya Daivari is back better than ever. Josh Woods is bigger and better than he was when he won the National Championship. And Tony Nese is in the best shape of his life, which is saying something.

In fact, what’re we even talking about? These three are the most underappreciated athletes in the company. They walk like stars, they move like stars, they present themselves like stars, and by the end of this year, they will be champions. Supercard was just phase one of this plan. Phase two… starts tonight. Then just what happens when the Premier Athletes start making moves?

Lee Johnson VS JD Drake!

Even though he lost at Supercard, Big Shotty stays positive! He got close to the ROH World Television Championship, will he get back there for another shot? Or will Scrap Metal be another speedbump in Lee’s momentum?

The Code of Honor is upheld, the bell rings, and the fans rally as the two circle. They tie up, JD HIP TOSSES, and Lee scrambles to ropes. JD flexes and fans cheer, which surprises JD. Lee gets up, he and JD reset. They tie up, JD arm-drags, but Lee gets up. Lee keeps calm while JD talks some smack. They circle, tie up again, and JD scoops! JD carries Lee around, with one arm! Then SLAM! JD dusts off his hands and the fans fire up more. Lee is a bit frustrated, but he fires himself up. The fans rally with him, he and JD circle to tie up. Lee goes to hip toss, but JD blocks! JD tells Lee he knows that’s not gonna work!

JD goes to hip toss but now Lee blocks! Lee arm-drags, then he goes to feint, but JD blocks with a headlock. Lee shoves JD, tries another arm-drag, but JD blocks that. JD whips Lee, Lee ducks ‘n’ dodges and arm-drags again! The fans fire up as Lee tries to scoop, but JD’s too hefty! JD SLAPS Lee, ROCKS him, then whips him to ropes. Lee ducks ‘n’ dodges again, shoves JD and hurdles! Lee drops, then DROPKICKS! JD staggers to a corner, Lee fires up, and the fans fire up with him! Lee runs up on JD in a corner to CHOP! JD barely flinches! JD puts his arms back and dares Lee to try again. Lee CHOPS, but JD puts Lee in the corner!

JD swings, Lee dodges and CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! Lee whips, JD reverses but Lee ELBOWS back! Lee runs up but into a lift, and FLAPJACK off buckles! Lee falls, the fans rally up, and JD dusts himself off. JD storms back up on Lee, brings him up, and the fans rally. JD ROCKS Lee, stands him up in the corner, and CHOPS! The fans “WOO~!” while Lee sputters. The fans want that “One More Time!” so JD stands Lee up. JD winds up, to JAB! The fans boo JD trolling them, but JD stands Lee up to CHOP him after all! Lee is stinging, but JD brings him up. Lee throws body shots but JD ROCKS Lee!

JD whips, Lee sunset flips! JD stays up, but Lee avoids the hip drop! Ghost pin, TWO! JD gets up, kicks low and whips, to SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Lee stays in this and the fans rally up. JD sits Lee up, KICKS him in the back, then paces around. The fans rally for Lee but JD pie faces him around. Lee rises, JD brings him up and Lee CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS again! JD throat chops! The ref reprimands, JD claims he jabbed to the chest. JD then scoops and SLAMS Lee, to then FALLING HEADBUTT! Cover, TWO! Lee is still in this but JD CHOKES him! The ref counts, JD lets off, claiming he was just checking the pulse.

JD clamps on a chinlock, digging his knee into Lee’s back. Lee endures, the fans rally up, and Lee fights to his feet. Lee throws body shots, but JD knees low! JD suplexes but Lee slips free! Lee ROCKS JD, ROCKS him again, but JD CHOPS! JD runs, but Lee SUPERKICKS! JD flops out of the ring and the fans fire up! The fans rally as Lee builds speed, to FLY! Direct hit at the ramp and the fans fire up even more! Lee puts JD in, climbs a corner, and JD stands. JD staggers around, into the CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! JD stays in this but then bails back out. Lee thinks on what he has to do and the fans rally up.

Lee runs, to slide, but JD gets under! JD pops Lee up to CLOBBER him! JD puts Lee in, aims from a corner, and Lee goes to the opposite end. JD runs up, but Lee moves, CANNONBALL hits buckles! Lee hurries up while JD is down! The fans cheer as Lee aims, FROG SPLASH, but JD moves! Lee rolls through, runs back at JD but JD puts him on the apron. JD ROCKS Lee, goes up, and he brings Lee around. The fans fire up as JD brings Lee up, but Lee fires body shots! Lee GAMANGIRIS, then climbs! Lee sunset flips for the POWERBOMB! The fans fire up and Lee climbs back up, FROG SPLASH!! Cover, Lee wins!

Winner: Lee Johnson, by pinfall

Big Shotty’s got range, and he hit the mark! Will Lee take this momentum and turn it into another chance at a championship?

Abadon VS Allysin Kay!

Speaking of second chances, The Living Dead Girl got screwed out of the ROH Women’s World Television Championship when Mercedes Martinez & Diamante conspired against her. And while AK Don’t Play, she knows the OG Badass well. Can Abadon prepare for revenge by taking down Martinez’s greatest rival?

The Code of Honor is upheld, the bell rings, but Abadon holds on, to BITE Allysin’s arm! Abadon then laughs, dodges Allysin to HEADBUTT low, HELL STAB, then mule kick! Abadon runs to SHOTGUN BOOT! Allysin goes to a corner while the fans rally up and Abadon shrieks! But Allysin BOOTS Abadon down! Allysin rains down fists, covers, ONE!! Abadon sits up but Allysin brings her around to fireman’s carry. SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up, Allysin drags Abadon up to TOSS her to a corner! Allysin fires body shots, then she CHOPS! Allysin whips corner to corner hard and Abadon bounces off buckles!

Allysin takes a bow, puts pinkies up, and SPLASHES in the corner! Allysin CHOPS, whips, and runs up again, but Abadon BOOTS her! Abadon runs to BULLDOG! The fans rally as Abadon slithers out to the apron then climbs up the corner. Allysin crawls, Abadon aims, CROSSBODY! Abadon runs to KNEE Allysin back down! Abadon storms up on Allysin, reels her in, BLACK DAHLIA! Cover, Abadon wins!

Winner: Abadon, by pinfall

Abadon smiles, then shrieks into the night! Will Mercedes Martinez make sure to stay far, far away from the frightening Living Dead Girl?

Backstage interview with Taya Valkyrie.

Lexi Nair is with La Wera Loca and brings up her trios match alongside Diamante and Leila Grey. But this is also the first time we’ve seen her since Supercard, where Johnny TV lost to Dalton Castle. The question is: where is Johnny? Uh, recovering from that vicious attack by Dalton Castle and his “special boy,” Paul Walter-Whatever! Taya is gonna call up Fran Dreischer to file a complaint! For someone so TV Ready, Castle and Paul sure don’t look it. So yes, Johnny is rehabbing. Wait he’s in rehab? Ew, no, who do you think they are? Johnny is rehabbing the abs! This is an aesthetics business so he has to look amazing!

So tonight, Taya will carry the weight of the TV Family in trios action. So run along, Lexi, Taya has things to do. Uh, this is Lexi’s interview space. Oh, well, her apologies. Taya bumps Lexi on the way out, but will Taya’s team win some major points in the title chase tonight?

The Infantry VS The Iron Savages w/Jacked Jameson!

Captain Shawn Dean & Carlie Bravo may not be the ROH World Tag Team Championships, but they are not deterred. Will they get through the jacked ‘n’ juicy juggernauts to go after The Undisputed Kingdom once again?

The teams sort out, #BadNewsAndTattoos starts against Beefcake Boulder, and they keep the Code of Honor. They tie up, Bravo tries but can’t push Boulder back, but Boulder pushes Bravo back! Bravo resets with Boulder, beefs up, and they tie up. Bravo wrenches to wristlock, but Boulder WRINGS Bravo out! Boulder talks smack on Dean and Bravo, but Bravo pie faces. Boulder scoops Bravo, but Bravo slips free to DROPKICK! Boulder stays up, runs up, but Dean is there to GAMANGIRI! Bravo tags Dean while Boulder throws a fit, but DOUBLE DROPKICKS send him reeling! Bulk Bronson tags but runs into a DOUBLE HIP TOSS!

The fans fire up as the Infantry crisscross and SPLIT the wishbone! Bravo gets fans going with “OORAH!” Dean runs to JUMP ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Bronson bails out, Boulder is there to help him, and Dean builds speed, only for Jacked Jameson to stand in the way! He wants Dean to sip the Savage Sauce! Dean says no thanks, but in comes Bronson! EXPLODER! Bravo protests but Bronson drags Dean to a cover. The ref is busy arguing, he finally sees the pin, TWO! Bronson is annoyed, but he mocks Bravo’s air machine gun. Bravo then tags Boulder before he brings Dean up. The fans rally but the Savages still hit a SHOULDER TACKLE SUPLEX COMBO!

Bronson flexes, Boulder taunts Bravo, and then Boulder whips Dean to the corner. Boulder wraps Dean’s arms around ropes to HEADBUTT again and again and again! Tag to Bronson, he brings Dean around, and they visit #TIDDYCITY! But Dean reverses, it’s Bronson who dives in! Boulder panics, runs up, but Dean DUMPS him! Bronson swings, misses, hot tag to Bravo! Bravo rallies on Bronson with big forearms! Bravo whips, Bronson reverses, but the CARLIE CROSSOVER takes Bronson down! Boulder gets up, Bravo fakes him out to SCISSOR KICK! Bravo then kicks Bronson, and manages a FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO!

The fans rally, Bravo pounds the mat, but now Jameson wants Bravo to sip! Bravo says no, get outta here! Bronson runs up again, Bravo dodges, and Bronson barely avoids hitting Jameson! Bravo aims, Bronson dodges, the SUPERKICK hits Jameson! Jameson spews sauce! Boulder catches Jameson, Dean goes up, and Dean CROSSBODIES to wipe them both out! But Bronson rolls Bravo up! TWO, and Bronson grabs Bravo, only for Bravo to kick low! Bravo reels Bronson in, tags Dean, and TORNADO- NO, Bronson stops the DDT! Dean gets in, Bronson scoops, but Dean slips free! Feed to a SUPERKICK!

The Infantry coordinate, for BOOT CAMP! Cover, Infantry wins!

Winners: The Infantry, by pinfall

Dean & Bravo redeem themselves from Supercard and are ready to get back on track! But wait, The Premier Athletes make their way out here! Is this what Smart Mark was talking about for phase two? Daivari & Nese rush the ring and start throwing hands with The Infantry! Woods tips the scales as he DECKS Dean, then DECKS Bravo! But wait! Here comes Dalton Castle! The Peacock won’t stand for there to be bullies, and he takes off his sandals to weaponize them! The Premier Athletes dare him to, but wait! Here comes Mark Briscoe, Bryan Keith and Lee Johnson! They run The Premier Athletes off!

Sterling shouts, “Who do you think you are?!” but he’s shouting at THE ROH World Champion and many other big names around here! Will The Peacock, the Chicken and the rest of ROH humble Sterling’s stable once and for all?

Six Woman Tag: Diamante, Leila Grey & Taya Valkyrie VS Kiera Hogan, Leyla Hirsch & Trish Adora!

The Cuban Diamond has staked her claim at challenging for the ROH Women’s World Television Championship, but so has The Hottest Flame. But let’s not forget The Last Baddie Standing, La Wera Loca, the LEGIT One and The AfroPunk! Billie Starkz still sees herself above all six of these women, but which trio takes the lead in the title chase with a win tonight?

The teams sort out, Taya starts against Kiera and the Code of Honor is upheld. The bell rings, the two tie up, and Kiera gets around to waistlock. Taya pries the hold, backs Kiera into a corner and throws elbows! Taya stomps away on Kiera, then says who’s the hottest now? Taya snapmares, covers, ONE!! Taya drags Kiera up, whips her to ropes, but Kiera holds ropes to BOOT back! Taya runs up again but Kiera drop toeholds her onto ropes! HIP ATTACK! Taya flounders, Kiera runs to step-up and LEG DROP! Cover, TWO! Kiera keeps cool as she brings Taya up, but Taya ROCKS Kiera then throws her by her hair!

Taya tags Diamante, they stomp Kiera, then Diamante sucker punches Leyla! Diamante runs in to DROPKICK Kiera, then drags her to a high stack cover, ONE!! Kiera is tougher than that but Diamante says it’s just a matter of time. Diamante runs, PLANKING SPLASH flops as Kiera moves! Hot tag to Leyla! Leyla gut wrenches Diamante to GUT WRENCH SUPLEX! Tag to Adora, then Leyla wrenches so she can hand it off to Adora. Adora WRINGS Diamante’s arm, drags her up and wrenches again, but Diamante ROCKS her! Adora swings, Diamante dodges to tilt-o-whirl and RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Diamante snarls and pushes Adora down to rain down fists!

Diamante storms around, brings Adora up and CHOPS her on the back! Tag to Grey and she NECK SNAPPERS Adora! Cover, TWO! Adora is tougher than that but Grey rains down fists! Grey drags Adora up, bumps her off buckles, then tags Taya. Taya and Grey dig their boots in, then Taya stomps a mudhole. Taya sits Adora down to METEORA! Tag to Diamante and she stomps a mudhole! The ref reprimands but Diamante tags Taya back in. Taya steps over Adora and mockingly has Adora reach out to her corner. The ref has to keep Hirsch back so Grey gets shots in, then Taya drags Adora up.

Taya again mockingly holds out Adora’s hand but the fans rally up. Adora fights up, but Taya pulls her into the motorcycle stretch! Adora endures the knee in her back, fights up to her feet, and then arm-drags Taya away! Taya gets up, ducks ‘n’ dodges and mule kicks! But Adora ducks the buzzsaw to BASEMENT GERMAN! The fans fire up while both women are down! Adora and Taya crawl, hot tags to Kiera and Diamante! Kiera rallies on Diamante with big forearms, then a SUPERKICK! Turn and NECKBREAKER! Kiera goes up a corner while Diamante flounders around. Diamante stands, into a MISSILE DROPKICK!

Diamante flounders, Grey tags in but Kiera dodges to fire off forearms! Grey shoves back, but Kiera returns to SHOTGUN! Grey flounders, Kiera fires up, and says kiss this! HIP ATTACK in the corner! She sits Grey back down to run and BOOT WASH! Kiera drags Grey to a cover, Diamante breaks it! Diamante gets Grey outta there, and Taya tags in. Taya runs up to mule kick, KNEE LIFT and wrench Kiera, into a BLUE THUNDER BOMB! Cover, TWO! Leyla also gets in, she pushes Taya around. Leyla drags Taya up but Diamante runs in. Leyla gets around to SAIDO! Taya gets Kiera up but Kiera SUPERKICKS!

Kiera brings Taya over, tags Adora, and they feed Taya to the BUBBA BOMB! Body scissor and GEDO CLUTCH! TWO!! Hot tag to Grey, she runs up, ducks ‘n’ dodges, then SLINGBLADES! Cover, TWO! Grey is frustrated but she gets Adora up. Underhooks, but Adora breaks that to fireman’s carry! Adora storms over, tags Hirsch, but Grey slips free! Leyla dodges Leila and feeds her to Adora’s BOOT! Then GERMAN SUPLEX! Cover, TWO!! Grey survives but Hirsch tags Kiera. Kiera runs, but Taya trips her up! Diamante distracts so the ref misses that! But then Leyla DIVES onto Taya! Diamante CANNONBALLS Leyla!

LARIAT TUBMAN from Adora to Diamante! Kiera dodges Grey to ROUNDHOUSE! And then “That’s all, PERIODT!” FACE THE MUSIC!! Bridging cover, Team Kiera wins!

Winners: Kiera Hogan, Leyla Hirsch & Trish Adora, by pinfall

It was fast ‘n’ furious in the end there, but the Hottest Flame burns it down! Will she be first up to strike a match with Billie Starkz?

Backstage interview with Maria Kanellis, Griff Garrison & Cole Karter.

Lexi is with the First Lady of Wrestling and her baby boys, the Diamond in the Rough wearing the stolen mask from Serpentico. Lexi congratulates them on their win over Spanish Announce Project at Supercard, but it seems there might be some unfinished business. Are they ever going to give Seprentico his masks back? Karter takes the mask off to say hell no! Griff says Serpentico’s masks mean a lot to him and his lucha libre culture. But uh, they don’t care! It got them the attention that they deserve, and those wins have been a stepping stone in this company.

If Serpentico wants his masks back, he doesn’t need to trick them into a match. They’re happy to beat the crap outta him anytime, anywhere! Maria loves the confidence, and says Griff will need it in his Proving Grounds match against THE ROH World Champion, Mark Briscoe. Griff is all fired up, will the Ivy League MVP pass the test with flying colors? Or will he fail to #ManUp?

The Beast Mortos VS Nick Comoroto!

Black Taurus has evolved into something even more menacing than before, and he is looking to stampede all the way to the top of ROH! But Mr. Freak Beast has changed a lot about himself, too, in hopes of finding success. Whose transformation will prove to be for the better as these behemoths collide?

The Code of Honor is upheld reluctantly, the bell rings, and the fans rally up. The two tie up, go around, and Comoroto shoves Mortos down! Mortos gets up in a huff, gets in Comoroto’s face, but Comoroto pie faces him. So Mortos SLAPS Comoroto! Comoroto runs up, Mortos dodges, and they RAM shoulders! Mortos ducks ‘n’ dodges and jumps to RANA! Comoroto goes to a corner but Mortos runs in to UPPERCUT, CLOTHESLINE, and GAMANGIRI! Mortos wrenches and hits an ARMBAR CODE BREAKER! Comoroto staggers, but he blocks the whip! Comoroto shoves Mortos, runs up, but Mortos dodges to then roll off Comoroto’s back!

Mortos tries to hip toss but Comoroto blocks! Comoroto LARIATS Mortos down then rains down fists! Fans are torn as Comoroto huffs ‘n’ puffs and stomps Mortos around. Comoroto digs his boot into Mortos’ face, lets off to soak up heat, then he drags Mortos up. Comoroto scoops to SLAM, then he runs to JUMP ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! The fans rally as Mortos pounds the mat in frustration. Comoroto slashes his throat, but Mortos throws body shots. Comoroto CLUBS Mortos, Alabama Lifts, but Mortos sunset flips! Comoroto stays up, hauls Mortos up, but Mortos JAWBREKAERS, KNEES and ROCKS Comoroto!

Mortos goes to suplex but Comoroto’s a big guy, too! Comoroto suplexes Mortos, but Mortos knees free! Mortos goes to a corner, Comoroto runs in but Mortos dropkicks the legs out! Comoroto hits buckles, then Mortos runs in, CORNER 619! Comoroto staggers away and Mortos climbs, to MISSILE DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Comoroto still has power to spare and he storms up on Mortos. Mortos UPPERCUTS first! Mortos goes to whip but Comoroto blocks again! Comoroto whips Mortos to a corner, runs up, but Mortos slips out to the apron! Comoroto hits buckles, Mortos goes up, and the fans rally! MORTOS TWISTER! Cover, Mortos wins!

Winner: The Beast Mortos, by pinfall

Comoroto is big and bad but this is a beast of a different breed! Will nothing stop the modern day minotaur from making ROH his domain? Will Jacoby Watts’ teachings ever pay off for Comoroto?

Backstage interview with Nick Comoroto.

Lexi is with Mr. Freakbeast as he returns backstage, and she asks him what his strategy will be moving forward after this tough loss. Jacoby Watts walks in to say, “Turn the page. Start a new chapter. Nothing changes if nothing changes, Nick. It’s a harsh reality. But I am your answer. Your beacon of hope in the darkness. Follow me and I will lead you into the light! For I am Jacoby Watts, the one and only, praise be to he, and he is me.” Watts waxes poetic while making himself the focus, but will Comoroto accept his guidance?

ROH World Championship Proving Ground Match: Mark Briscoe VS Griff Garrison w/ Cole Karter & Maria Kanellis!

The Sussex County Chicken won this title after a war with Eddie Kingston at Supercard, and those two are still going to be friends taking on The House of Black this Sunday! But will Mark be able to focus on tonight with Dynasty on the horizon? Or is this where Maria’s baby boys start building their kingdom?

Mark shows off the belt and its new camouflage patterned leather! The Code of Honor is upheld, the bell rings and we’re on the clock. The fans cheer on Mark as he circles with Griff. They tie up, Griff headlocks, but Mark powers up and out. Griff sunset flips, but Mark rolls through to drop on the headlock! Griff moves around, fights up, and powers up, but Mark holds tight! Mark hits the takeover, Griff headscissors, but Mark kips free. Roles reverse as Griff headlocks for the takeover, and Mark headscissors. Griff kips free, but Mark shows Redneck Kung-Fu stance and Griff scrambles away! The fans cheer but Maria coaches Griff back up.

Griff cools off, he and Mark reset, and the two circle again. They knuckle lock but Griff kicks low. Griff UPPERCUTS, UPPERCUTS again, then whips corner to corner. Mark goes up and out, SWATS the haymaker to REDNECK KUNG-FU UPPERCUT! Then Mark gets in to BOOT Griff down! Griff is on ropes, Mark runs in to BOOT WASH him right outta the ring! The fans fire up as Mark builds speed, and he DIVES onto Griff! Not the cleanest landing but Mark borrows a hat to put it on! The fans fire up with Mark, he gives the hat back, then drags Griff up to DECK him! Mark drags Griff up again, to scoop and SLAM!

Griff sputters, Mark goes to the apron, and the fans fire up as Mark takes aim. But then Karter and Maria stand in the way! The fans boo, Mark sighs and steps inside, and Maria coaches Griff up. Griff flounders up, the fans rally behind Mark but then Karter and Maria each get on the apron! The ref is busy arguing with Maria but Karter distracts Mark. Griff sneaks in to CLOBBER Mark! Griff fires forearms while the fans boo, but then Griff stomps a mudhole into Mark. The ref counts as Griff digs his boots in, but Griff lets off at 4. But then that lets Karter CHOKE Mark behind the ref’s back!

The fans boo as Karter gets away with one, and Griff drags Mark up. Griff UPPERCUTS, but Mark CHOPS! Griff sputters, Mark CHOPS again! Griff knees low, whips Mark to a corner, but runs into an ELBOW! Mark runs up, into a BOOT! Cover, TWO! Griff clamps onto Mark with a chinlock and he grinds Mark down. The fans rally as Mark endures and fights up. Mark throws body shots, then fires up to CHOP! CHOP! And CHOP! Mark runs, but into the ROLLING ELBOW! Griff then torture racks for the TOWER HACKER BOMB! High stack, TWO! Mark survives and Griff is frustrated but Maria coaches him up.

The fans continue to rally behind Mark as Griff aims again. Griff goes up but Mark REDNECK UPPERCUTS! Griff gets caught up in ropes, Mark lets him loose so he can fall to the floor. Karter hurries over, but Mark goes up to PLANCHA both baby boys! The fans are thunderous, and Mark cracks open a can of WOOOOO Energy! Mark chugs it, bangs the can against his head, then gets Griff in the ring. The fans fire up as Mark runs corner to corner, but Griff BOOTS him! Mark comes back to LARIAT! The fans fire up, Mark reels Griff in, but Griff wrenches out, only for Mark to LARIAT! Mark hauls Griff up again for underhooks!

Mark lifts, for the JAY DRILLER!! Cover, Mark wins!

Winner: Mark Briscoe, by pinfall (denies Griff Garrison a title opportunity)

Maria is upset but there’s nothing she can do, her baby boy wasn’t man enough to stop the NEW ROH World Champion! Will Mark continue to carry on his brother’s legacy and become one of the best champions in ROH history?

My Thoughts:

A very good episode of ROH for being 92 minutes. I still skipped some very clear filler, but Marti Belle got a good showing in her loss to Frost and The Dark Order got a good match out of Zak & Frank. Cruz, Damian & Savion got an okay showing but c’mon, they were against Archer & The Righteous, those guys have been running through everyone. It hasn’t really led them to anything yet, but maybe after we get undisputed AEW & ROH World Trios Champions after Dynasty, Archer & Righteous challenge the winners. And real good wins for Bryan Keith and Lee Johnson, each guy looking good towards midcard titles at some point.

Really good match from Infantry VS Savages, with the Savages being a bit more Heelish this time. Good win for Infantry, but I didn’t think The Premier Athletes would be going after them first. And I didn’t expect Faces like Keith, Lee and Briscoe to run out to get at them. Maybe the Premier Athletes can also position themselves to go after the trios titles after Dynasty. If The Acclaimed win, they’ll need Heel opponents. Archer & Righteous can play either side, but fans really like Archer so I kinda want him and Righteous to be Faces when facing Bang Bang Gang.

Good match and good win for Abadon over Allysin. Good win for Kiera, Leyla & Adora, though things got a little sloppy in the middle, Leyla’s timing wasn’t quite there. Athena & Billie are both Heels, so while Queen Aminata is in the mix, the champion she doesn’t choose still needs a good Face challenger so you can take your pick of the winners from tonight. Really good match from Mortos and Comoroto, and Mortos winning also helped serve Comoroto’s story with Watts. Watts keeps insisting he’s the answer, but this has to lead to Comoroto breaking free and beating Watts up for his arrogance.

Good promo from Maria, Griff & Karter, and they just kinda copy-pasted Mark Briscoe’s promo from Collision that same Saturday. Really good match for Griff against Mark but of course Mark wins. Mark getting involved with Premier Athletes, maybe Woods or Nese get a shot at Mark only to lose and be Mark’s solid first defense. Not sure who could be a more prolonged feud with Mark, but there are plenty of possibilities, and I’m just happy to see him showing up on ROH TV as the ROH World Champion should.